On Thursday, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for stronger trade and investment relations between the European Union and Africa, emphasising fair, rules-based, and mutually beneficial partnerships.
Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) highlighted the growing interdependence between Europe and Africa within an increasingly fragmented geopolitical context. They pointed out the significant untapped economic potential in Sub-Saharan Africa, which plays a vital role in advancing Europe’s green and digital transitions.
“Amid the US tariff chaos, China’s growing economic dominance and Europe’s push for new trade agreements with Southeast Asia, we must not lose sight of Africa. Our neighbouring continent is one of the world’s fastest-growing regions and a key partner for Europe’s future,” said Bernd Lange (S&D, Germany), Chair of Parliament’s International Trade Committee and author of the resolution.
The resolution passed by a show of hands. The European Parliament expressed support for the African Continental Free Trade Area as a key mechanism to boost intra-African trade and reduce dependence on global markets. MEPs also called for modernising economic partnership agreements to support sustainable growth, investment, and job creation. They emphasised that good governance, inclusive policies, and local job creation should remain central to the EU-Africa economic relationship.
Moreover, the Parliament highlighted the Global Gateway strategy as an essential initiative to finance infrastructure projects and foster local value creation, ensuring investments benefit local communities.
“The International Trade Committee has therefore made its position clear today: We want pragmatic, rules-based, transparent and mutually beneficial partnerships with African countries. This requires a strengthening of the African Continental Free Trade Area, investing in infrastructure and local value creation via the Global Gateway strategy, and ultimately working towards a win-win free trade zone between the EU and Africa. It is now up to the Commission to act,” added Bernd Lange.
During a debate on Tuesday evening, MEPs engaged with the Commission on its plans to further deepen trade and investment ties between the EU and Africa, strengthen regional integration, promote local value creation, and ensure that EU trade and investment efforts deliver sustainable, mutually beneficial results.
