The fifth African Union - European Union (AU-EU) summit took place on 29-30 November 2017 in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire. Contact us to find out more. The priorities outlined in our Joint Communication “Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa” remain pertinent to ensure a sustainable and resilient recovery: boosting economic relations, creating jobs in both continents and deepening our partnership. We hope to see you all in 2021! EBS 2020 will highlight a new approach to business and its focus on sustainable transformation. The Summit's postponement has given more time to deepen discussions with our African partners and all stakeholders from both Continents, to hear their views on the EU proposed priorities. High-level keynote speakers, such as C-level representatives and decision-makers set the tone with inspirational speeches. A new date for the Summit has yet to be set. Plans for a new EU-Africa partnership, a summit and an updated treaty all fell by the wayside in 2020. Updated information on the future EU-Africa Business Forum will follow in due course on this page. The EU, for its part, has made it clear that it hears the African Union. Ahead of the Summit, an Africa-EU Leaders’ meeting will take place on 9th December 2020, to maintain the momentum of our outreach at its highest level. Saving digital trade. The EU’s members are Africa’s main trading partners, foreign investors and chief source of remittances. Together we can build a more prosperous, more peaceful and more sustainable future for all. In order to move towards a more efficient partnership between the two continents, a multi-sectorial dialogue must promptly be consolidated at both institutional and business levels. To frame the negotiations, a European Commission communique proposed key areas for consideration: green transitions and energy access, digital transformation, sustainable growth and jobs, peace and governance, and migration and mobility. The 6th summit had been to reaffirm and renew the partnership between the two blocks already in October 2020, but it was pushed back to the first quarter of 2021 or even later due to COVID-19 crisis. Although an informal meeting, it will provide the opportunity to discuss challenges such as the COVID-19 response, debt relief and access to financing for recovery. The LSE Africa Summit is excited to present its 7th Annual Africa Summit with the theme The Global Crisis as a Catalyst for Change. The European Commission’s and the European External Action Service's vision of the future Africa-EU partnership is outlined in the Joint Communication “Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa” and supported by Council Conclusions. Deepening cooperation based around shared interests and values will enable both sides to achieve their common goals and to tackle global challenges. After Europe’s top court this summer struck down the transatlantic data flows … The EU and Africa: Should, would, could… but how? The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the growing urgency of the climate crisis show at the same time how interdependent our two continents are, and why it is so important that both continents act urgently to seize the shared opportunities that lie ahead and to tackle the common challenges that we all face. Today’s Strategy with Africa is the roadmap to move forward and bring our partnership to the next level. Our mission is to debate political, economic, social and environmental issues to promote the voices of enterprises in Europe and Africa. This will be followed by a preliminary informative report. Participants sharing their views during the panel discussions. The EU-Africa Business Summit is an annual event taking place in Marrakech, Morocco. His predecessor, Federica Mogherini, said almost the same at the EU-Africa summit in November 2017. Our aim is for the public and private sectors to join forces at inter-continental, regional and local levels. Informal dialogues with well-known personalities for their leadership and expertise in their field. In the context of the current pandemic, the EU- Africa Business Forum (EABF) has been postponed. Speech by President Charles Michel at the official dinner of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa It is an honour and privilege for me to take the floor as the voice of Europe before you, in Ethiopia, the land of origins and the cradle of the last Nobel Peace Prize. The year 2020 marks the beginning of a promising decade for the EU-AU relations. Samih Sawiris, the Chairman of Orascom Development Housing being interviewed during the EU-Africa Business Summit 2019. How to Ensure Innovative Financing Mechanisms for Renewable Energy? The AU-EU summit brought together EU and African leaders to define the future direction for cooperation between the two continents. A new date for the Summit has yet to be set. Africa is the European Union’s natural partner and neighbour. Institutionally, it began with the first Africa-EU Summit in Cairo, Egypt, in 2000, followed by the 2 nd Summit that took place in Lisbon, Portugal, in December 2007, which adopted an Africa-EU Joint Strategy (JAES) and its Action Plan. In the context of the current pandemic, the EU- Africa Business Forum (EABF) has been postponed. 2nd EU-Africa Summit, Lisbon, Portugal, 2007. The AU-EU summit in October 2020 Event Type Online Event Series Location/Date Online, 28.05.2020 until 16.09.2020 Organiser. At the end of 2 years, a final report with recommendations will be presented. 1.06 MB - The 2020 edition of the EU-African SME summit in Rome intends to highlight the chances for entrepreneurs and define together with decision makers and experts the roads towards a successful economic cooperation of dynamic and future-oriented companies in Africa and Europe. A joint letter by Presidents Michel and von der Leyen was sent to all African Heads of State and Government outlining the establishment of the Strategy Groups  and that they will play “a think tank and advisory role for all those committed to taking Africa-Europe relations to the next level”. Therefore, this summit is incredibly timely, able to reflect the EU recovery plan presented by the European Commission and to showcase the positive contribution of businesses in making Europe a green, digital and a more resilient economic model. This follows a joint decision to also postpone the EU-AU Summit, initially planned for 28-29 October 2020. Although an informal meeting, it will provide the opportunity to discuss challenges such as the COVID-19 response, debt relief and access to financing for recovery. Over the next 2 years, each Group will produce a thematic scoping report, identifying the issues at stake and highlighting the main topics/issues to address. PDF), ( This year, the European Business Summit will feature a special EU-Africa Summit roundtable taking place in the morning of the 6th May and focusing on new perspectives in economic relations between African countries and the European Union. Digitalisation: What are the Future Challenges for the Next Generation? - Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission (9 March 2020), Africa-Europe Agenda for Rural Transformation, Scaling-up Energy Investments in Africa for Inclusive and Sustainable growth, Towards an enhanced Africa-EU Cooperation on Transport and Connectivity, Africa-Europe Digital Economy Partnership, ( It proposes to work together on five key global trends: These proposals build on a growing momentum in EU-Africa relations. Ahead of the Summit, an Africa-EU Leaders’ meeting will take place on 9th December 2020, to maintain the momentum of our outreach at its highest level. The 2nd EU-Africa Summit took place in Lisbon on 9 December 2007. The proposals set out not only the opportunities and challenges faced within each of these fields, but also 10 clear action points as a basis for future cooperation. PDF), Asia, Central Asia, Middle East/Gulf and Pacific, Overseas Countries and Territories (OCTs), Joint Communication “Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa”, Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa, Joint Communication - Towards a comprehensive Strategy with Africa, EU paves the way for a stronger, more ambitious partnership with Africa, Questions & Answers: Towards a Comprehensive Strategy with Africa, Factsheet - Towards a Strategy with Africa, A Partnership for the Green Transition and Energy Access, A Partnership for Sustainable Growth and Jobs, A Partnership for Peace, Security and Governance. Beyond good intentions: The new EU-Africa partnership Alfonso Medinilla and Chloe Teevan, ECDPM paper, March 2020 The EU and Africa are each trying to find their place in an unstable world. This pandemic knows no borders and, as it has demonstrated, a global response and an ability to act as an international community are essential. Lorena Boix Alfonso, Acting Director of the Policy STrategy and Outreach at DG CNECT (European Commission) on Digitalisation and the Future Challenges for the Next Generation. Updated information on the future EU-Africa Business Forum will follow in due course on this page. 17 / 04 / 2020 10th African Union Commission – European Commission Meeting - Joint Communique Communication on a new Africa – Europe Alliance for Sustainable Investment and Jobs: Taking our partnership for investment and jobs to the next level African states and the European Union (EU) are expected to negotiate a new strategy to be adopted at the EU-Africa Summit scheduled for October 2020. These proved to be highly successful platforms upon which stakeholders from both our continents could exchange ideas, best practices and make recommendations. The EU-Africa Summit, scheduled for October 2020, provides a key opportunity to reframe the political, social and economic partnership between the EU and Africa. Bruce Byiers, ECDPM blog, 16 March 2020Last week, the EU communicated its proposal for a new Africa strategy. Europe and Africa have close historical, cultural and geographical ties. EU-Africa relations are based on the 2000 Cotonou Agreement with African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, which grew out of the 1975 Lomé Convention. Hope to see you … The EU’s relationship with Africa is a key priority for the Commission. The Strategy Groups will be further developed and operate in coordination with the newly established Africa-Europe Foundation lead by the Friends of Europe think-tank and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation, in partnership with ONE and the South Africa Climate Foundation. Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE) Coping with the Corona crisis will significantly shape the cooperation between Germany and the EU with African partners in the coming months and years. Business Why Brexit is a turning point for Europe-Africa relations. Towards an inclusive and sustainable industry in Africa, Skills Gap: Investing in People in the Context of a Transforming Labour Market. As EU-Africa relations is an important subject for EBS, we will continue the discussion at the European Business Summit in 2020. Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, said on Thursday that “Portugal’s presidency of the European Union (EU) in the first half of 2021, will have a summit meeting between Europe and Africa. And how? The occasion should also be used to exchange views on common areas of cooperation in a renewed Africa-EU Partnership, to be further developed jointly in the run-up to the EU-African Union Summit. The EU-African Union Summit in 2021 will be the culminating moment when African and European Heads of State and Government meet to determine joint priorities for their common future. 507.39 KB - This follows a joint decision to also postpone the EU-AU Summit, initially planned for 28-29 October 2020. The debates involved a broad exchange around the key themes of the proposed EU strategy with Africa and have been an opportunity for young people, civil society, business sector and policy-makers to share their vision for and comments on the future of the partnership. PDF), ( The new COVID reality makes this relationship all the more important. 2020 is a year that offers this opportunity, with the conclusion of the Post-Cotonou Agreement negotiations and the EU-AU summit scheduled in October. The UK's exit from the EU could be an opportunity for African countries. The authors of this paper argue that the needs and expect… ABSTRACT & RÉSUMÉ : Abstract: Every three years, the AU-EU summit reunites African and EU leaders to outline the future direction of cooperation. Register now and join the exclusive, by-invitation-only Gala Dinner, The Summit took place in the prestigious setting of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, BAÏDY AGNE President of the CONSEIL NATIONAL DU PATRONAT DU SÉNÉGAL DURING the panel on Skills in the Labour Market, EBS Director General Arnaud Thysen at the EUABS 2019, EU-Africa Business Summit offers media partnership opportunities - contact us to discuss the details. While the list of proposed actions is commendable, it raises the questions: Who? 3.69 MB - Africa Africa-Europe relations: 2020 was a lost year. Informal workshop-style exchanges facilitated by an international expert aiming at identifying best practices in a given area. This includes the Debating Africa-EU series which Commissioner Urpilainen has been a patron of, and in which other Commissioners from both the EU and African Union have taken part. Thank you to all participants, speakers and partners for joining EU-Africa Business Summit 2019. "We need to increase even more our cooperation; on global issues like climate change and environmental issues; to economy, investments, creation of jobs, education," she said at the time. These Africa-Europe Foundation Strategy Groups, launched on 2 December 2020 together with a consortium of Friends of Europe, the Mo Ibrahim Foundation and IPEMED, bring together the expertise and skills of a multitude of stakeholders including academics, think tanks, civil society, and the public and private sector. 1.23 MB - The 2020 edition of the EU-African SME summit in Rome intends to highlight the chances for entrepreneurs and define together with decision makers and experts the roads towards a successful economic cooperation of dynamic and future-oriented companies in Africa and Europe. The Role of Women Entrepreneurs in Africa, Dedicated Session on Circular Economy and Green Industries, Highlights from the EU-Africa Business Summit 2019, Media Highlights from the EU-Africa Business Summit 2019.