Background to the Event
Like the rest of the world, Africa is navigating a geopolitical context in which the rules-based international order is being challenged, and regional tensions are intensifying on multiple fronts. Amid the global shift toward renewable energy and advanced technologies, Africa’s mineral wealth is not just a resource - it is a strategic asset, providing African countries with newfound leverage for economic growth and geopolitical influence.
One of Africa’s major partners, the European Union, is grappling with the implications of Africa’s diversification of partnerships. The motives behind European values and aid conditionality in Africa are increasingly being questioned, with a growing push for a partnership centered on trade and investment. Amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, African diplomatic positions have made it clear that African alignment can no longer be taken for granted.
As U.S. policy toward Africa remains unpredictable, shaped by shifting domestic priorities and global recalibrations, African actors are increasingly advocating for pragmatic, transactional relationships focused on economic and trade deals, ensuring their strategic interests take precedence amid evolving U.S. engagement. In response to these shifting dynamics, Germany has increasingly prioritized trade, investment and green energy in its Africa policy. Through initiatives such as the G20 Compact with Africa, Germany aims to align with the continent’s call for more practical and mutually beneficial partnerships.
African countries are increasingly adopting multi-aligned foreign policy strategies in response to the changing global order and geopolitical competition. African governments are actively engaging with a diverse range of external actors to secure access to infrastructurefinancing, establish alternative security partnerships and support broader national development priorities, as outlined in initiatives such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063. In this context, Germany can position itself as a key intermediary between Europe and Africa, supporting African development goals while advancing Europe’s energy transition.
This event in Berlin aims to deepen understanding of Africa-EU relations within the evolving geopolitical landscape, with a particular focus on Germany’s role. With a new government in Germany and changing global dynamics, the event will bring together African, EU and German government representatives to explore partnerships on industrialization, critical raw materials and trade. This event offers an opportunity for the new German government and African countries to build a shared understanding through open dialogue.
Background to the Series
This is the second event in Africa in the World Roundtable Series. The first event took place in January 2024 and discussed the role that development cooperation plays today and explored pragmatic pathways for Africa-German Relations.
Each iteration of the series will be convened in partnership with a German federal ministry or other key actors. The series will explore, debate, and highlight Africa’s positioning in the world, as well as how stakeholders from the continent are negotiating and managing current and future collaborations with global partners. To that end, events throughout the series will bring together spokespeople from the continent, German policymakers, civil society and other stakeholders in foreign and development policy.
The second edition of this event will take place in December 2025, in collaboration with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung. It will focus on the relations between Germany, the EU and African countries within the context of a shifting global order. An accompanying report, approximately 5 pages in length, will be produced to provide background to the event as well as to highlight the key findings and insights from the discussions.
This event will provide a platform for in-depth discussions on how African countries are navigating their relationships with global powers and the strategic implications for European and German engagement. It will also offer an opportunity to hear diverse perspectives on the future of Africa-EU-German relations, as well as the broader geopolitical dynamics influencing the continent.
Event Format
This half-day event offers the combination of high-level dialogue and practical workshops. The event will begin at 14:00 with welcome remarks from FES and APRI, followed by a panel discussion on future relations between Europe and Africa and its priorities amidst a changing geopolitical landscape featuring representatives from the EU, Germany and African Union.Following the plenary, the program will continue with two parallel workshops designed for more focused, thematic discussions on Critical Raw Materials, trade and industrialization. Each workshop will include participation from relevant ministries, which will allow for meaningful exchange on practical challenges and opportunities.
The event will conclude with a networking reception at 18:00, providing space for informal dialogue and connections. Approximately 100 participants are expected to attend, with a minimum of 20 people allocated to each workshop to ensure balanced and interactive discussions.
