00:00The traditional model of aid and dependency in Europe-Africa relations is giving way to a more strategic and partnership
00:08-driven approach.
00:09This comes amid the current geopolitical tensions and as the European Union seeks what it calls a, quote, mutual partnership,
00:17built on defense cooperation, skills development, and expanded energy ties.
00:22For African leaders, this creates an opportunity both internally and externally,
00:27as former Malawian President Lazarus Chaquera tells Euronews.
00:31As you grow, what was fit for purpose yesterday may not be fit for purpose today.
00:39And so there is need for constant conversation taking place as to see how best do we proceed for a
00:51situation that becomes a win-win situation.
00:55There are several levels of this kind of partnership.
01:00For example, Europe trades amongst themselves more so, way by far more than Africa trades amongst themselves.
01:10And we are saying economic integration on the continent should be pushed as much as we have bilateral agreements with
01:22nations outside that continent.
01:24And so whether you're talking about the free trade on the continent, we need to find ways of facilitating the
01:34implementation, faster implementation of such.
01:37Last month, EU foreign policy chief Kayakalas visited the West African states of Nigeria and Ghana,
01:44where she signed the first ever EU-Ghana security and defense partnership on counterterrorism and maritime security in the Gulf
01:52of Guinea.
01:53Amid rising competition from the US, China and Russia, policymakers say it was a matter of time before Europe changed
02:00its approach.
02:01I think that today we have to revise our policy with the African countries.
02:10We have to remove this policy of aid to development, which is surpassed, which is used, which does not take
02:19the consequences of concrete reality.
02:38For decades, Europe has been a key partner to Africa, providing aid to development support and shaping governance frameworks.
02:46For some critics, a new approach must now also look beyond economic interests.
02:52In my current, let's say, understanding, people are still living in the past.
02:58They are not seeing the future.
03:00It's about the local anchorage and the capacity to facilitate the bridge between Africa and Europe.
03:09And it's not only about investments, about imagining the right products and services, but simply facilitating the intercultural exchange.
03:21As African countries expand their options, a major shift is emerging from aid to investment, from dependency to negotiation.
03:29The debate is not whether Europe remains a partner for Africa, but what kind of partner it wants to be.
03:36Jerry Fisaya Bambi for Euronews.
Comments