Africa-EU relations - Time for a reboot? Meeting of Africa-EU High-Level Advisory Group of Personalities

The EU’S relationship with Africa is multi-faceted, changing and complex. Immigration from the continent has risen up the EU’S political agenda, focusing attention on new and innovative ways of developing African economies in order to create jobs and attract investments while also improving governance. As Africa experiences profound economic, political and societal – particularly demographic – change, it is time for a radical rethink of EU-Africa relations in order to develop new ways of working together to tackle key challenges and explore new opportunities.

Are there key ‘dominos’ which could trigger a chain reaction for new and improved EU Africa relations that create true win-wins?
Which blockages and bottlenecks impeding a deeper and more meaningful relationship still need to be addressed and how?
What can Europe do better and differently from the past to forge a true 21st Century partnership with Africa?

Good governance is key to the economic and political future of Africa and is an important factor determining the life choices made by the continent’s growing number of young people. Africans want better governance, tougher measures to fight corruption and respect for the rule of law so that they can tap their full potential and talents as citizens, business leaders and entrepreneurs.

To what extent is poor governance – the absence of a society where everyone has a fair chance – a driver of migration?
How can women become more active participants in Africa’s political and economic structures?
What is being done to improve economic governance including regulatory quality, strengthening government effectiveness, and enforcing the rule of law?

The critical role of business in revamping EU-Africa relations
Exponential demographic growth in Africa makes the need for resilient and inclusive economic growth ever more vital: according to UN estimates, 12-14 million new jobs are needed in Africa each year. Private flows will need to play an increasingly key role to spur local development and entrepreneurship. Luckily global investors, not just in Europe but also in China, India and Brazil, are focusing attention on Africa – and looking beyond the continent’s natural resources. The focus is also on ways in which new technologies can boost Africa development. The challenge of creating new jobs has spotlighted the role of home-grown business leaders, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and local entrepreneurs – and even micro-enterprises – as key development actors.

What can be done to encourage and incentivise entrepreneurship? What policies are needed to ease the constraints faced by African entrepreneurs?
What can be done to ensure education delivers the skills needed to give underemployed population groups the best opportunities?
How are mobile and digital technologies reshaping African economies, especially in the agricultural sector?