The international conference “Deepening the EU–Africa Partnership”, dedicated to strengthening the partnership between the European Union and Africa, got underway on 19 January in Madrid. The two-day event is hosted in the Aula Magna of CEU San Pablo University and is promoted within the framework of the activities of the CIDRA network (Creating a joint Infrastructure for Dialogue, Research and Advocacy between Europe and Africa).
The conference brings together academics, representatives of European and national institutions, diplomats and international policy experts for an in-depth discussion on the political, economic and strategic prospects of Euro-African cooperation, against a global backdrop marked by growing geopolitical tensions and renewed competition for influence on the African continent.
The event is structured over two working days designed to provide a comprehensive and coherent overview of the EU–Africa partnership, combining the political, economic and strategic dimensions of cooperation.
According to the programme, the first day will focus primarily on the geopolitical and institutional framework of Euro-African relations. Discussions will address issues such as shared interests, international cooperation and global governance, while also examining the main dynamics currently shaping the African continent and the EU’s external action: security, regional stability, competition among global actors and the role of multilateralism. In this context, the need to strengthen the political partnership will emerge as a structural element of Europe’s presence in Africa.
The second day will shift the focus to the economic and operational aspects of cooperation. The debate will centre on trade, regional integration and investment—both public and private—analysed as key levers for sustainable development and for a more balanced relationship between the two sides.
Attention will also be given to European financial instruments and to the capacity to coordinate industrial policies, development strategies and economic partnerships. The day will conclude with a focus on the national dimension, examining Spain’s role in relations with Africa within the broader framework of European action.
