A new Africa strategy is to be adopted at the summit meeting between the European Union and the African Union in October 2020. To this end, the EU Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, have now presented principles which aim to establish a strategic partnership with the African countries.

The new EU Commission has identified the EU's relations with Africa as one of its priorities and proposes five key areas for the new partnership Climate change, digital change, peace and good governance, migration and mobility and sustainable growth. In 2018, trade between the 27 EU countries and Africa will reach €235 billion. This represents 32% of Africa's total trade.

Germany has intensified its commitment to developing economic relations with Africa. For example, the budget for the participation of German companies in further trade fairs in Africa has been increased for 2019 and 2020. In Africa, the Foreign Trade Fair Programme (AMP) for 2020 currently provides for a total of 34 participations by the Federal Ministries of Economics and Energy (BMWi) and Food and Agriculture (BMEL). In addition, three participations are planned as part of the Export Initiative Energy (EEM).

(AUMA, 06 March 2020)