Mark Leonard's World in 30 Minutes Europe-Africa relations in 2026
Jan 30, 2026
Alex Vines, ECFR Africa director, explains shifting geopolitics and development corridors. Carlos Lopes, former UN/AU official and academic, highlights industrialisation and regional strategy. Nathalie Delapalme, Mo Ibrahim Foundation CEO, focuses on governance, energy access and local value addition. They discuss Europe-Africa climate and minerals policy, China’s presence, CBAM risks, and how partnerships should evolve.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Africa's Rising Global Relevance
- Africa's global relevance is rising due to demographics, minerals, and diplomatic weight.
- This increases choices for African countries and raises their stake in global governance.
Many Suitors For Africa
- Multiple external partners now compete for influence in Africa, expanding choices for African states.
- This multipolar interest weakens Europe's monopoly and compels new African diplomatic strategies.
Multilateralism Under Strain
- Multilateral rules are under strain as great-power competition rises, forcing Africa to reconfigure engagement.
- Declining ODA and harder access to capital raise urgent strategic questions for African leaders.
