Ερευνητικό Κέντρο Οικονομικής Πολιτικής, Διακυβέρνησης και Ανάπτυξης

By Pavlos Petidis, MSc International and European Economic Relations

Introduction

The strong alliance between Africa and Europe is based on geographical proximity and old historical links, and its strategic relevance has been developing in a dynamic geopolitical context1 . The EU has made significant attempts to elevate the collaboration above the usual 'donor-recipient relationship. This collaboration is based on shared similar interests. Africa's most significant economic partner and a primary source of foreign investment, official development assistance (ODA), and humanitarian relief are the EU and its Member States. The EU and its Member States spent €75.2 billion on ODA in 2019, accounting for 55.2 percent of overall global assistance2 . In 2018, the overall goods trade between the EU-27 and Africa was valued at €235 billion, according to the European Commission3 . Aid and trade preferences have dominated European economic strategy toward Africa, which has been supplemented by talks aimed at improving domestic policies, governance, and the investment climate in partner nations4 .

By Pavlos Petidis, MSc International and European Economic Relations

Introduction

The EU's Sahel policy focuses on Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania, and Niger, as well as the G5 Sahel regional organization. Because of its strategic location between the north African coast and southern Sub-Saharan African countries, the region is a crucial transit hub for migrants and thus a place of great importance to the EU. Furthermore, the Sahel is at the heart of complicated regional security and humanitarian situation, with weak state governance and fragile political systems, particularly in Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali, exacerbating regional instability1 . Because of these risks and EU concerns about migration and terrorism, the EU has become more involved in the Sahel since the early 2010s. Its updated Sahel strategy emphasizes the necessity for an integrated approach, moving away from a security-focused approach and focusing more on the political dimension. The 2021 strategy emphasizes government and EU accountability to the Sahelian population and accountability between EU and Sahel partners, particularly on governance and human rights problems2 .