Key Takeaways from 3rd AU-EU Ministerial Meeting 2025

The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the African (AU) and European Union ((EU) convened the 3rd meeting in Brussels on 21 May 2025. They reviewed the progress on the Joint #Vision2030 adopted at the last AU-EU Summit (#AUEUS) in 2022. This ministerial meeting is in preparation for the 7th AU-EU Summit (#AUEUS2025) which is scheduled to take place in Africa by the end of this year. 2025 will mark the 25th anniversary of the Summit since the inaugural edition in Cairo in 2000.

The Meeting was co-chaired by Tete Antonio, the Angolan Minister of External Relations and Chair of the AU Executive Council, and Kaja Kallas, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and VP of the European Commission. The newly elected Chair of the African Union Commission, Ali Youssouf and European Union Commission President Ursula von der Leyen were also in attendance.

In line with previous editions and based on shared commitments towards the UN #SDG, AU #Agenda2063, and EU priorities, the Parties are combining efforts to achieve mutual benefits for the people of Africa and Europe. In particular, both Parties agreed to include in the agenda of the upcoming 7th AU-EU Summit a review and follow-up mechanism on the progress made based on the Brussels Declaration adopted at the 6th AU-EU Summit in 2022.

Currently, the EU is driving its Global Gateway Initiative (#GGI) which lays particular emphasis on Africa. As a matter of fact, 138 out of 264 GGI projects are in Africa and spans several themes, including #FoodSecurity, #CleanEnergy, #eMobility and the #DigitalEconomy. So far, the total value of projects under the #GlobalGateway in Africa has reached nearly EUR 150 billion. The African side reiterated that the projects and programs must realize tangible benefits for both sides.

In the trade realm, the Generalized Scheme of Preferences (#GSP) continues to contribute to grow trade between the two Parties. Team Europe supports the single market and economic integration driven by the African Continental Free Trade Area (#AfCFTA). Both Parties noted that one in four persons in the world will be African by 2050, and thus Africa will enjoy a huge population and youth dividend.

Both Parties expressed concerns about the conflict in eastern DR Congo and other regions. The Ministers reiterated their support the AU-led mediation by Togolese President Faure Gnassingbe as well as other initiatives by Qatar and the USA. Moreover, both Parties believe that a peaceful and prosperous Africa will contribute to stem the tide of illegal migration. In that respect, the EU is supporting to ‘Silencing the Guns’ in Africa through the European Peace Facility (EPF) to the tune of EUR one billion.

The Financing Gap remains a challenge for many African countries. The sovereign credit rating methodology is clearly not in favor of African countries giving rise to the high cost for countries to capital. The two Parties agreed to reinforce cooperation in Anti-Money Laundering and Countering of Terrorism (#AMLCFT). To continue the discussion on Finance, all Parties look forward to the 4th International Conference on Financing for Development scheduled to take place in Seville from 30 June to 3 July 2025.

Another key area of cooperation in the field of energy, with an emphasis on enhancing #ElectricityAccess and accelerating the #EnergyTransition Some of the related initiatives are as follows:

• African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM)
• Continental Power Systems Masterplan (CPM)
• African Energy Efficiency Strategy (AfEES)
• Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility (GRMF)
• Africa-Europe Green Energy Initiative (AEGEI)

Additionally, the AU and EU welcomed programs such as #M300 to enhance Electricity Access with an emphasis on off-grid small renewable systems, which are easily deployed and particularly suited in the context of Rural Electrification.

Before ending, the participants took note of certain upcoming conferences. The 2nd Africa Climate Summit will take place in Ethiopia in September 2025. The first Africa Biodiversity Summit will be hosted by Botswana in October 2025. The 7th AU-EU Summit is scheduled to take place in Africa and the exact date is to be determined. Then, the next Ministerial Meeting is expected to be held in Cameroon in 2026.

The ministers reiterated their appreciation to India for having integrated the AU as a permanent member of the #G20. Both Parties are looking forward to the G20 Summit to be hosted by South Africa in November 2025.