A New Dawn for AU-EU Relations: Africa’s Moment to Lead

The air in the Multipurpose Room at the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 4, 2025, carried a quiet urgency. Diplomats, scholars, and media professionals gathered for a pivotal panel debate on Africa-EU relations, one shaped by history, but increasingly driven by a new generation of ideas.

As country coordinator for Vice Versa Media Ghana, my visit to the Netherlands culminated in this significant event. The discussion didn’t just echo past talking points it demanded a shift toward real partnership. It showed Africa’s growing confidence and determination to lead.

The panel featured key voices: Pascalle Grotenhuis, Director-General for International Cooperation at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Holy Ranaivozanany, Deputy Executive Director of the Africa-Europe Foundation; and Dr. Ueli Staeger, Assistant Professor at the University of Amsterdam. The conversation was moderated by Professor Adekeye Adebajo from the University of Pretoria. The event also honored Prof. Roel van der Veen, retiring Deputy Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to the African Union.

Together, they confronted the uncomfortable realities that have long shaped AU-EU relations and explored new ways forward.

Naana the Country coordinator of Vice Versa media Ghana with other dignitaries at event

A Complicated Past, A Necessary Future

Africa and Europe share a long, complex history marked by colonialism, uneven trade, and migration challenges. Since the Cotonou Agreement of 2000, the EU has been Africa’s biggest development partner, providing over €20 billion in aid from 2014 to 2020.

However, critics argue that this aid-heavy approach has kept Africa in a cycle of dependence. Despite talk of a “partnership of equals,” mistrust remains. Even the €150 billion pledged under the EU’s Global Gateway initiative in 2022 has not fully convinced many Africans that change is truly coming.

Migration: Different Views, Deep Divides

One of the most striking themes from the panel was how differently Africa and Europe see migration.

For African countries, migration is an economic lifeline. In 33 nations, remittances from citizens abroad outpace aid, contributing roughly $95 billion a year. For Europe, however, migration is often seen through a security lens, leading to tougher visa policies and militarized borders.

According to the panel, migration to Europe dropped by 30% by mid-2025 due to new restrictions. While this pleases some political groups in Europe, it undercuts Africa’s development ties and limits movement for education, work, and exchange.

As Professor Adebajo put it:

“Africa sees talent and remittances; Europe sees risk and regulation. This isn’t just a policy gap, it’s a failure to listen.”

Changing the Migration Narrative

Professor Adebajo challenged the EU’s framing of African migration as a threat. He emphasized the power of remittances in building economies and supporting families across the continent. These are not problems, they’re opportunities.

The EU-AU relationship, he warned, is “shaking.” The solution lies not in more aid, but in respectful dialogue and shared goals. The EU must stop talking at Africa and start listening to it.

From Challenges to Opportunities

The panel laid out four major opportunities that can reshape AU-EU cooperation:

1. Invest in Africa’s Youth and Jobs

Africa has the world’s youngest population over 60% are under age 25. Meanwhile, Europe’s workforce is aging rapidly and may need 30 million skilled workers by 2030.

Rather than seeing youth as a migration risk, the EU should invest in job creation in Africa. This includes supporting tech startups, creative industries, agriculture, and vocational training. Migration should be a choice, not a last resort.

2. Rethink Debt and Fair Taxation

Africa’s external debt hit $1.1 trillion in 2024. Add to this unfair tax systems and illicit financial flows, and you have a continent losing wealth it desperately needs.

The EU can play a role in reforming trade agreements, supporting fair taxation, and helping African countries keep more of their income for development. This isn’t about charity it’s about fairness.

3. Keep the Conversation Going

Sustained dialogue is key. Beyond high-level summits, both continents need to engage through civil society, academia, private sector, and youth platforms.

When both sides listen truly listen they begin to dismantle stereotypes and build shared solutions. These conversations must be institutionalized, inclusive, and lead to action.

4. Move from Symbolism to Substance

The AU-EU relationship has often been filled with grand promises and symbolic gestures. The time for that is over.

Now, both sides must focus on practical, measurable outcomes: better infrastructure, stronger healthcare, more jobs, and fair partnerships. Trust will only grow when people see real benefits.

Africa at the Center

One thing was clear from the discussion: Africa is no longer content with the sidelines.

The continent is asserting its agency. That means reducing over-reliance on any single partner, investing in regional trade, and building strong institutions. It means being seen not just as a recipient, but as a powerful partner with ideas, talent, and ambition.

The EU-AU relationship can only thrive if it reflects this new reality.

The Cultural Dividend

Culture remains an underused tool for building bridges. From Afrobeats to Nollywood, African creativity is shaping global trends.

The EU’s Creative Europe and Africa’s Agenda 2063 both recognize the power of cultural exchange. But more needs to be done to engage Africa’s diaspora over 10 million people in the EU. Their voices must be heard in policy-making, not just in music and film.

Conclusion: Shared Destiny, Shared Action

The July 4 dialogue in The Hague was more than just an event it was a moment of reflection and possibility.

Africa and Europe can move forward together but only if they build bridges, not just across the Mediterranean, but across mindsets and generations.

For us as journalists, it’s a call to continue telling these stories with nuance and depth. To challenge outdated narratives. And to spotlight the promise that lies in true partnership.

Because in the end, a shared future is not written in press releases it’s built through policy, people, and purpose.