Carlos Lopes

Europe needs to make mind up on relations with Africa, first published at EU Observer

Africa Europe Relationship /

As a new European Commission now takes over, there are some nuanced messages concerning the relations with Africa emerging from the statements of president Ursula Von der Leyen. She prioritises the development of a “comprehensive strategy for Africa”. The idea is not new. In October 2005 the European Commission published such a strategy. Its stated […]

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Diversity and Unity African Agency in International Affairs

Diversity and Unity: African Agency in International Affairs

Africa Europe Relationship, African Politics /

The conventional wisdom is that Africa is at the periphery of international affairs, and the perpetual subject – or victim – of decisions by powerful political or economic actors from outside the continent. The argument then goes on that the diversity of African countries, their atomization and fragmentation, further weakens the ability of the continent

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The Untapped Potential of EU-Africa Trade

The untapped potential of European Union-Africa Trade

Industrialisation and Trade, Africa Europe Relationship /

CAPE TOWN — China’s use of trade and investment links to expand its influence in Africa is fuelling growing concern in some European capitals. But, instead of complaining about China’s activities, the European Union should be deepening its own engagement with the continent. In recent years, the EU has been actively seeking to secure new

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O potencial inexplorado do comércio UE-África

Industrialisation and Trade, Africa Europe Relationship /

A utilização de relações comerciais e de investimento pela China, para expandir a sua influência em África, está a alimentar uma apreensão crescente em algumas capitais europeias. Mas, em vez de queixar-se das actividades da China, a União Europeia (EU) deveria aprofundar o seu envolvimento com o continente. NOS ÚLTIMOS ANOS, a EU tem procurado

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Para a Africa abraçar a ecologia não é um luxo

Structural Transformation, Energy, Environment and Climate Change /

CIDADE DO CABO – No início do ano, o ciclone tropical Idai devastou a África meridional, matando milhares de pessoas e deslocando um número ainda maior. Em Moçambique, foram destruídas perto de metade de todas as colheitas do ano e infra-estruturas críticas. No total, foram afectados mais de três milhões de pessoas na região. Foi uma evocação

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For Africa, going green is not a luxury

Structural Transformation, Energy, Environment and Climate Change /

How can Africa realize economic prosperity without contributing further to climate change? The solution lies in a kind of Green New Deal – a comprehensive strategy for achieving sustainable growth, including through coordinated, large-scale investment in renewable-energy deployment. CAPE TOWN – Earlier this year, Tropical Cyclone Idai tore through southern Africa, killing hundreds, injuring thousands, and displacing

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La Zone de libre-échange continentale africaine s’invite au coeur des débats

Industrialisation and Trade /

UE-Afrique Les sillons du nouveau partenariat Négociations et concertations se poursuivent pour la détermination du nouveau format de coopération après l’expiration de l’accord de Cotonou en 2020. Le couple Europe-Afrique file toujours le bon amour. Mais les lignes bougent. À l’occasion de la 36e session de l’Assemblée parlementaire paritaire Afrique-Caraïbe-Pacifique et Union européenne (ACP-UE) tenue

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A continental trade bloc could transform Africa’s economies

Industrialisation and Trade /

Trade between African countries is fragmented, making economies ofscale hard to achieve. A planned 55-country free-trade area promises much-needed integration. An ambitious pan-African economic bloc- the AfricanContinental FreeTrade Area (AfCFTA)- was launched on 21 March at an African Union (AU)summit in Kigali, Rwanda. If it takes shape as envisaged, AfCFTA will comprise all55 AU members,

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How African countries can ‘leapfrog’ the fossil-fuel based growth strategies of developed countries

Industrialisation and Trade, Structural Transformation, Energy, Environment and Climate Change /

Carlos Lopes is a professor at the Mandela School of Public Governance at the University of Cape Town, High Representative of the African Union for partnerships with Europe post-2020, and a member of the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate This week, heads of African states are convening at the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, where they will discuss the

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