Competitive interdependence: A new era for Europe-Africa industrial and energy cooperation
Authors
- Carlijn Nouwen
- Caris Zwane
- Alfonso Medinilla
- Francesco Lombardi Stocchetti
The Report is part of the Africa-Europe Foundation’s #RoadtoLuanda25 initiative aimed at reinforcing evidence based policymaking in the lead up to the 7th Summit of African Union and European Union Heads of States and Government (24-25 November 2025, Luanda - Angola). It is the result of a year-long strategic research project facilitated by the Africa-Europe Foundation and co-led by Climate Action Platform – Africa (CAP-A), ECDPM and Bellona Europa.
Summary
Strategic Africa-Europe cooperation can advance global climate goals while supporting economic development at both domestic and regional levels.
Africa and Europe possess complementary assets and interests that, if aligned, can underpin mutually beneficial, yet non-exclusive, green industrial partnerships – partnerships that create commercial value while also serving broader geopolitical goals. For Africa, partnering with Europe can give access to technology, finance, and the European single market. For Europe, partnering with Africa can help lower the costs of its industrial decarbonisation, while new green industrial partnerships can help European industries diversify dependencies and build more secure supply chains.
This Policy Report unpacks the viability of mutually beneficial green energy and industrial partnerships between Africa and Europe. It examines the geopolitical and commercial case for 'competitive interdependence', with both regions leveraging each other's strengths to compete in the global green economy.
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