The EU and China in the Global South: Perspectives from African countries
Authors
Mariella Di Ciommo, Pauline Veron and Nadia Ashraf examine how the EU’s support is perceived by its partner countries, particularly in comparison to China, zooming in on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco and South Africa and their green agendas.
Summary
The 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation challenged the narrative of a declining Chinese engagement in Africa and waning interest from African leaders towards Beijing. This has implications for the future EU leadership as it reworks its narratives and priorities for engagement in the Global South. The logic of geopolitical rivalry and framing of the EU’s Global Gateway strategy as a better alternative to China’s initiatives are not supported by partner countries, who instead express a clear preference for and interest in pursuing diverse development partnerships. This paper examines how the EU’s support is perceived by its partner countries, particularly in comparison to China, with a focus on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Morocco and South Africa and their green agendas.
Interviewees from the three focus countries have nuanced views of the roles that the EU and China play in their national green agendas. They welcome healthy competition and refrain from taking sides in a geopolitical game that extends beyond their interests. At the same time, there are opportunities to explore how the EU and China can complement each other in advancing the green transition, led by partner countries and aligned with shared priorities.
Going forward, the EU should focus on strengthening its own offer by becoming more responsive to national green agendas, building on its own strengths in areas where it already receives recognition. It should also explore a more pragmatic and constructive approach towards China’s role in the green transition in the Global South.
