Africa Europe explore resource partnership opportunities

African governments are demonstrating increased strategic confidence as they navigate the growing geopolitical competition for critical raw materials. Despite reaffirmed commitments at the AU-EU Summit in Luanda in November 2025, European initiatives are facing challenges in keeping pace with offers from China, the Gulf States, and the United States.

African partners are seeking cooperation on industrial projects and deeper integration into value chains. Stronger internal coordination and increased financing for the EU could bolster its delivery capabilities and credibility in these partnerships.

Shifting African Policies

African governments are repositioning themselves in response to global demand for minerals and intensifying geopolitical competition. As producers of copper, cobalt, graphite, and other minerals, they are aligning raw material policies with domestic industrial objectives and adjusting engagement with international partners. The African Green Minerals Strategy (AGMS), adopted by the African Union (AU) in 2025, aims to promote local value creation and regional supply-chain integration. Investment is being actively sought not only in mining but also in mineral processing and supporting infrastructure.

Geoeconomic Context

Global competition for resilient supply chains has evolved into a contest over industrial sovereignty, with critical raw materials at the core. The European Union is working to formulate a coherent response. Decoupling from non-European supply sources is considered neither realistic nor desirable, given Europe’s demand. Diversification based on reliable external partnerships is essential for the EU’s mineral supply chain resilience.

EU Response and Future Strategy

The AU-EU Summit in Luanda in November 2025 reiterated a commitment to multilateralism and cooperation on critical raw materials. The EU’s 2024 Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) should be utilized to adapt external instruments, including the EU budget and the European Investment Bank (EIB), to effectively engage with external actors. The objectives are to advance the EU’s diversification goals and address Africa’s increasingly assertive industrial strategies.

About the Author:

Meike Schulze was a Research Associate at the SWP until December 2025. She currently works as a freelance political scientist and consultant.