EU-Africa Consultative Meeting: Rethinking the partnership in a changing world
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
Updated: 6 hours ago
From 27 to 29 March 2026, the Inclusive Society Institute (ISI), in partnership with the Foundation for European Progressive Studies (FEPS), and in association with the Africa Think-tank Dialogue, Foundation Max van der Stoel, Olof Palme International Center, Foundation Jean Jaurés and Friedrich Ebert Stiftung, co-hosted a high-level EU-Africa Consultative Meeting in Cape Town. Held at the Pullman Hotel, Cape Town, the engagement brought together policymakers, academics, and civil society leaders to reflect on the future trajectory of EU-Africa relations in the context of a rapidly shifting global order.
The meeting opened with a welcome dinner, setting the tone for what would become a candid and forward-looking dialogue. Formal proceedings commenced the following morning with opening remarks from FEPS and ISI leadership, alongside a keynote address by Hon. Supra Mahumapelo, Chairperson of South Africa’s Portfolio Committee on International Relations and Cooperation. ISI CEO Daryl Swanepoel moderated the opening exchanges, framing the discussions around the need for a more balanced, equitable and strategic partnership between Europe and Africa.
The first day of discussions focused on economic transformation, sustainability and human mobility. The opening session on trade highlighted the urgency of rebalancing economic relations. Participants emphasised that while trade remains central to both regions, existing frameworks have not sufficiently supported Africa’s industrialisation ambitions. Greater focus is needed on local value chains, fair labour standards, and rebuilding a credible rules-based trading system.
This was followed by a session on green industrialisation, where discussions centred on aligning European investment instruments - particularly the Global Gateway - with African development priorities. Participants stressed that the green transition must move beyond extractive models and instead support sustainable industrial growth, job creation, and long-term capacity building on the continent.
The conversation then turned to migration and human mobility. Here, participants challenged dominant narratives that frame migration primarily as a security concern. Instead, the discussion emphasised migration as a driver of development, noting that most African migration takes place within the continent. A more balanced, rights-based and development-oriented approach to migration governance was widely supported.
The second day shifted focus to global governance, multilateralism and peace and security. Discussions highlighted growing divergences in how Europe and Africa experience the current international order. While the EU has historically benefited from existing multilateral structures, many African countries continue to face structural disadvantages rooted in their limited representation in global institutions.
Participants engaged critically with the need to reform international financial systems, address debt vulnerabilities, and advance tax justice. There was strong consensus that EU-Africa cooperation in multilateral forums will be essential to driving meaningful reform and ensuring a more inclusive global economic architecture.
The final session addressed the crisis in the global peace and security system. With rising conflict levels and increasing strain on the United Nations, participants explored opportunities for joint EU–Africa leadership in advancing UN reform, strengthening conflict prevention, and reinforcing commitments to the UN Charter.
Throughout the engagement, the Inclusive Society Institute played a central convening and intellectual role. ISI not only co-hosted the meeting but also moderated key sessions and contributed to shaping the strategic direction of the discussions. The Institute’s emphasis on inclusive development, balanced partnerships and multilateral reform was a consistent thread across the dialogue.
The meeting reaffirmed that EU-Africa relations remain critically important, but that the partnership must evolve. Moving forward, a shift towards genuine co-development, mutual accountability and shared leadership in global governance will be essential.
For ISI, the engagement forms part of its broader commitment to advancing Africa’s voice in international policy debates and contributing to the development of a more just and inclusive global order.
EU-Africa Consultative Meeting 2026 - Agenda:
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