Africa

An African continent in transformation

Africa is a huge region in Spain's immediate neighbourhood that is undergoing deep changes. Being part of the same geopolitical area, the situation in Africa and the changes taking place will have a direct impact on the future of Europe and Spain. Therefore, its inclusive and sustainable development represents a strategic interest of the highest importance.

The main trends that the continent is experiencing are:

Population growth

High birth rates and the progressive increase in life expectancy make Africa a leading player in the demographic change that our planet is undergoing. Today, 1.25 billion people live in Africa, and forecasts for 2050 see this figure doubling. By then, almost half of the world's under-18s will be African.​

Economic transformation

Current GDP growth is 3%, and is expected to be 6 times higher in 2050. This is largely due to the exploitation and commercialisation of its natural resources, including raw materials such as cobalt, copper and critical minerals, which are essential for the energy transition and the digital revolution.​

Social transformation

Rapid urbanisation and the emergence of middle classes, who adopt new lifestyles and consumption habits, are transforming the socioeconomic and political profile of the population at an overwhelming pace.​

Political transformation

The youth's attachment to democratic values is reflected in surveys such as the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, according to which two-thirds of Africans prefer democracy to any other form of government.​

Global projection

Africa is becoming an increasingly significant collective force. This is evidenced by the admission of the African Union as a full G20 member. As the international order is being reshaped, the 54 African states are seeking to consolidate their position, often acting as a bloc. ​ 

 Minister Albares visiting Gambia's Hotel and Tourism Institute (June 2024)

Africa as a priority for Spain: a strengthened relationship set out in the new Strategy

The "Spain-Africa 2025-2028: working together through a strategic relationship" Strategy, which the President of the Government  presented on 5 December 2024, will guide Spanish foreign policy over the next four years, taking a qualitative leap in its relations with the continent.

The strategy has a continental dimension and identifies the regions of West Africa, North Africa and the Sahel as priorities. Representatives from civil society, government, academia and African partners participated in its preparation , based on the principles of partnership and mutual respect and benefit. The new Spain-Africa strategy highlights a set of assets that Spain already has, such as its human, geographical, historical and cultural ties, and preferential dialogue with African actors, both bilaterally and through international organisations such as the African Union or ECOWAS.

The Strategy highlights the priority that the EU gives to the continent, which sees Spain assume a greater role in the guidance and implementation of EU policy towards Africa, emphasising safe, orderly and regular mobility. With optimism as a driving force in light of countless opportunities, the Strategy does not lose sight of challenges such as costly access to external financing, insecurity caused by conflicts, or the impact of climate change.

The Strategy is structured around five strategic objectives, broken down into 100 lines of action. The strategic objectives are: 1) a Spanish-African relationship that consolidates and deepens reciprocal knowledge and dialogue and facilitates joint action (“strengthening"); 2) sustainable African development facilitated by the involvement of Spanish, European and international institutions, companies and organisations, but above all by young people getting involved (“growing"); 3) closer links between the societies and economies of Africa, Spain and the world (“connecting"); 4) improved security capacities (“protecting"); and 5) open African societies with strong and inclusive institutions (“living together").

Areas of cooperation

Beyond the renewed impetus that the new strategy seeks to give Spain's relations with Africa, these ties have become deeper in recent years through a comprehensive approach.

There is a close relationship with ECOWAS, exemplified in many areas: an ambitious cooperation programme and the granting of annual scholarships to civil servants from member countries to study in Spain. In the Sahel, a geopolitical area of exceptional interest, Spain has taken a pragmatic approach pursuing political, economic and social objectives that benefit the local populations.

Spain-ECOWAS Seminar (March 2023)

The expansive network of embassies and Spanish Cooperation Offices throughout the continent also ensures an extensive institutional presence, also seen in the EU military missions on the continent, and Spain's participation in all of them. Spain's commitment to Africa also encompasses the cultural field: the recognition of Spanish as a working language of the African Union and the opening of the first Cervantes Institute in Sub-Saharan Africa in Dakar in 2021 are just the first steps in a renewed focus on a continent with great potential for Spanish language and culture. 

The new Strategy will continue some of the existing instruments including the Global Gateway, the Spanish "Africa Moves Forward Partnership" initiative or AFRICO, which offer investment opportunities to Spanish companies; the Ellas+ and RAISA programmes, related to the empowerment of women and girls; or the extension of circular migration programmes. The Strategy will also create other new instruments, such as a Foundation for Africa, an Advisory Council on Africa and an Interministerial Commission for Africa to improve coordination and follow-up work.​

4th edition of the Visitors Programme in Madrid, in November 2024.