International partnerships between Africa and Europe must move beyond shared ambitions to practical cooperation that supports economic transformation, industrialisation and prosperity for both continents.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister Ronald Lamola said this while addressing a conference on the future of Europe-Africa relations in Pretoria on Monday.
Lamola called for a genuine partnership based on mutual respect, accountability and shared responsibility, with Africa taking greater control of its economic destiny.
“We are not asking for old-style paternalism; we seek genuine partnership – a compact – based on mutual responsibility and mutual accountability,” he said.
Lamola said the relationship must be shaped by the realities of a changing global order, characterised by geopolitical rivalry, growing inequality, weakening multilateralism and increasingly transactional international relations.
He said Africa has historically supplied raw materials that have generated prosperity elsewhere, while many of its people continue to experience deprivation.
The continent now needs partnerships that will end its economic marginalisation and support structural transformation, including investment in mineral beneficiation, domestic processing and manufacturing.
“There is a meeting place between Europe’s pursuit of resilient supply chains and Africa’s ambition to attract investment into mineral exploration, domestic processing and manufacturing industries,” Lamola said.
He said Europe could contribute technology and capital to support beneficiation at source, enabling African countries to derive greater economic value from their natural resources.
Addressing Africa’s development challenges
Lamola identified debt, infrastructure financing, regional integration and Africa’s limited representation in global decision-making as key challenges requiring stronger cooperation.
He said 25 African countries have, in recent years, spent more on debt servicing than on health and education, while African and other developing countries face borrowing costs estimated to be three to six percentage points higher than those of non-African States.
He called on longstanding partners to support efforts to reform the international financial architecture, including initiatives such as the newly launched African Credit Rating Agency and proposals for a borrowers’ club.
Lamola also highlighted Africa’s annual infrastructure financing gap of approximately US$170 billion, saying rising borrowing costs and pressure on public finances continue to constrain development.
He said the European Union’s Global Gateway initiative presented an opportunity to invest in transport corridors, modern ports and infrastructure connecting African markets.
Such investments, he added, should support the continent’s integration priorities and implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area.
Lamola contrasted intra-European trade, which exceeds 60%, with trade between African countries, which stands at just over 14%, highlighting the need for greater cooperation among African States.
He said Africa also needs a stronger voice in institutions governing international peace and security, trade and finance, including the United Nations Security Council.
“It is not rational that peace on the continent does not receive financial support from the UN Security Council,” he said.
Migration, security and global tensions
Cooperation, Lamola said, should also extend to migration and mobility, border management and the fight against drug trafficking and transnational organised crime.
He pointed to the call by the 2025 African Union-European Union Summit in Luanda, Angola, for “an enhanced and reciprocal partnership for migration and mobility”.
He said African countries could benefit from European support for specialised training in financial crime, cybercrime, counter-terrorism, digital forensics and asset recovery.
However, Lamola warned that global competition for critical minerals risked reproducing historical patterns of exploitation.
“If we do not treat the rare minerals issue with respect and prudence, it runs the risk of becoming another ‘scramble for Africa’, with serious negative ramifications for Africa,” he said.
He also raised concerns about the European Union’s carbon tax on imports, warning of its potential consequences for African industries, employment and economic growth.
The EU is a significant market for African exports, including fertiliser, iron and steel, aluminium and cement. Lamola said some forecasts suggest the carbon tax could cost Africa as much as US$25 billion in gross domestic product.
He called for Europe to balance its low-carbon ambitions with the industrialisation needs of developing economies.
The Minister further cited the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine access restrictions and travel bans that disproportionately affected African countries as examples of tensions that had raised questions about the strength of the partnership.
Partnership without exclusivity
Despite these differences, Lamola said disagreements should not undermine cooperation between the two regions.
He stressed that Africa must retain the freedom to pursue partnerships with different countries and regions, in line with its development interests.
“The partnership between Africa and Europe cannot demand allegiance to one bloc or exclusivity. Africa must retain the space to cultivate partnerships with different countries and regions in pursuit of its own interests and development aspirations,” he said.
Lamola also warned that democratic backsliding, disinformation and growing disillusionment with democratic institutions posed challenges to both continents.
He said cooperation was increasingly necessary as global power competition intensified and public trust in institutions weakened.
“Africa, in turn, brings its own share of prospects. We have a growing population, overwhelmingly young and pulsating with energy, talent and creativity,” he said, adding that the continent wants to create pathways to employment and entrepreneurship, rather than remain a supplier of labour and raw materials.
Lamola concluded by calling for evidence-based discussions that confront difficult questions about the future of Africa-Europe relations.
He quoted the concluding words of Jakkie Cilliers’ book, Africa’s Road to Prosperity, which emphasise the importance of resilience and patience in navigating global shocks.
“These words apply to Africa’s future as much as it does to how our continent relates to Europe and the world,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za
