By: David Shoombe
Just one day after the end of the G20 Summit, African and European heads of state gathered in Luanda, Angola, to strengthen trade relations, claim funding for climate change impacts, and to end raw material supply.
In a high-level diplomatic address, the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, remarked that “our continent is making progress to be a key player in a different stage of the global value chain.”
Youssouf indicated that Africa’s role as the raw material suppliers will soon come to an end. In calling for a fair trade balance, he called for EU investment in the transformation process of African minerals on the continent.
African heads of state echoed the need for Africa’s equal treatment in international trade due to its large supply to the European Union (EU) and the international market in general, which is mostly dominated by raw materials.
This was also noted by the G20 Summit Declaration of 2025, which pointed to the development of a Critical Minerals Framework for Inclusive and Sustainable Development.
The G20 Declaration mentioned that “The Framework is designed to respond to the urgent need for international cooperation to secure sustainable, transparent, stable, and resilient critical minerals value chains that underpin industrialisation and sustainable development.”
Moreover, it aims to unlock investment in mineral exploration, promote local beneficiation at source, and strengthen governance for sustainable mining practices.
The critical mineral framework further affirms mineral-rich countries’ sovereign right to use their resources for inclusive growth while promoting responsible stewardship, community participation, and supply security. It emphasises that critical minerals should drive value addition and broad-based development, not merely raw material exports.
EU Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen, indicated the commission’s support for sustainable growth in Africa and spoke to the significance of the EU and Africa collaborating during a time of global economic complexity.
In doing so, von der Leyen mentioned the progress made by the EU in the development of infrastructure in Africa, making reference to projects such as the Lobito Corridor, which enables the ease of transport of critical minerals between Angola, Zambia and the DRC to the global market.
Von der Leyen stated that with the EU Global Gateway framework, the EU will invest €150 billion in Africa by 2027, with €120 billion having already been mobilised.
She acknowledged the competition in global trade and the need for strengthening partnerships with Africa to create opportunities such as jobs for youth.
“In a more confrontational global economy, Africa and Europe need each other more than ever before. As old friends and trading partners, investment partners, and business partners, we want the EU and Africa to be partners of choice,” she declared.
Von der Leyen indicated that one-third of Africa’s total trade is with Europe, adding how Africa exports more than twice to Europe in comparison to China.
According to Afreximbank’s African Trade Report released on 28 September 2025, the European Union remains Africa’s largest export destination, accounting for 31% of total exports in 2024.
Also attending the AU-EU Summit, the United Nations Secretary-General, António Guterres, noted that “Africa is rich in sun, wind, and critical minerals, and the demand for these minerals has the potential to triple by 2030, driven by the shift towards clean energy.”
Guterres noted that the partnership between Europe and Africa is well placed and can be used to address historical injustice and pave the way for sustainable development.
