A critical moment for redefining partnership
As leaders gather in Luanda for the African Union–European Union Summit, officials and analysts agree on one central point: it is time for Europe and Africa to move beyond a trade relationship rooted in colonial-era structures. For decades, the economic ties between the two continents have been shaped by the flow of raw materials from Africa and finished goods from Europe—a pattern that has constrained industrial development, limited value creation and restricted strategic autonomy on the African continent. With global competition intensifying and both regions seeking resilient supply chains, the summit offers an opportunity to reshape this longstanding imbalance.
An outdated model that no longer reflects economic realities
Africa’s trade with Europe has historically been dominated by unprocessed commodities: minerals, agricultural goods, hydrocarbons and critical raw materials. While these exports remain vital sources of revenue, they often reinforce dependence on volatile global markets. European importers benefit from stable access to essential resources, but African economies capture only a small share of the global value chain.
Meanwhile, Europe relies on Africa for inputs that feed green-transition industries—including cobalt, lithium, manganese and rare metals—yet production and advanced processing of these materials continue to occur largely outside the continent. This contributes to a structural imbalance that African policymakers argue is neither sustainable nor compatible with long-term development goals.
Africa pushes for industrialisation and value addition
At the Luanda summit, African leaders are making a clear case: trade must evolve to support industrial capacity, technology transfer and manufacturing growth. Countries including Zambia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, South Africa, Kenya and Morocco have already launched initiatives aimed at processing minerals domestically, producing electric-vehicle components, expanding pharmaceuticals manufacturing and strengthening textile industries.
The ambition is to shift from exporting raw materials to exporting products shaped by African labour, expertise and innovation. Achieving this will require joint investment in infrastructure, energy, logistics, workforce training and digital capacity—areas where European support could accelerate progress.
Europe seeks stable, mutually beneficial partnerships
For Europe, the need to diversify supply chains away from geopolitical flashpoints has become urgent. The continent’s industries depend heavily on external suppliers for critical minerals and intermediate goods, leaving manufacturers exposed to global disruptions. Stronger African industrial capacity could help address this vulnerability while supporting a net-zero transition that demands enormous quantities of processed materials.
European officials attending the summit acknowledge that a transactional approach is no longer viable. Instead, they highlight the importance of long-term co-investment, sustainable extraction frameworks, shared technology and greater access for African products to European markets. This shift would also help Europe compete with China, whose investment footprint in Africa has grown dramatically over the past two decades.
A new framework for trade and cooperation
Delegates in Luanda are expected to push for updated trade agreements that prioritise:
– local processing and manufacturing of raw materials
– joint industrial zones and technology hubs
– modernised rules of origin to support African value chains
– predictable market access for African finished and semi-finished goods
– financing instruments to support industrial projects
– clearer pathways for cross-continental private-sector collaboration
These measures would mark a move away from extractive, commodity-driven trade and toward shared economic growth rooted in industrial development and innovation.
Addressing structural challenges remains essential
Despite broad agreement on the direction of change, significant obstacles remain. Infrastructure gaps, high logistics costs, energy shortages, slow regulatory reforms and fragmented regional markets continue to hinder Africa’s industrialisation. At the same time, some European industries fear short-term competitiveness risks from increased value addition in Africa.
However, economists note that long-term gains outweigh initial adjustments. Stronger African industries would create more reliable supply chains for Europe, more jobs and innovation in Africa, and more diversified markets for both sides. The challenge is ensuring coordinated action, predictable policy environments and transparent governance.
A partnership defined by shared growth, not historical dependency
The Luanda summit arrives at a moment when both continents face pressing economic and geopolitical pressures—from shifting global supply chains to intensified competition for strategic resources. This context strengthens the argument for a partnership built on mutual benefit rather than historical patterns.
African leaders emphasise that continued dependence on raw-material exports will not deliver the development outcomes the continent needs. European leaders, for their part, increasingly recognise that supporting Africa’s industrial ambitions aligns with Europe’s own economic security, climate objectives and foreign-policy interests.
Moving beyond colonial-era trade is not only a political imperative; it is an economic necessity. The future of Europe–Africa relations depends on whether both sides can turn this moment of shared recognition into tangible action.
Newshub Editorial in Africa – 27 November 2025
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