Africa

Africa is an enormous region in Spain's immediate neighbourhood that is undergoing profound transformations. Being part of the same geopolitical space, the situation in that continent and the changes it is undergoing will have a direct impact on the future of Europe and Spain. Its inclusive and sustainable development is therefore a major strategic interest.

Where is the African continent heading?

The main trends affecting Africa are:

Population growth High birth rates and increasing life expectancy make the continent a key player in the demographic change our planet is undergoing. Today, 1.25 billion people live in Africa and the projections for 2050 are double this figure. Then, almost half of the world's under-18s will be Africans.
Economic transformation GDP growth is currently 3%, and is expected to be 6 times that by 2050, arising largely from the exploitation and commercialisation of natural resources. Of particular importance are 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 the middle classes adopting new lifestyles and consumption habits are transforming the socio-economic and political profile of the population at a dizzying pace.
Political transformation The attachment of young people to democratic values is reflected in surveys such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance which shows that two-thirds of Africans prefer democracy to any other form of government.
Global projection Africa is an increasingly important collective stakeholder. For proof of this, look no further than the admission of the African Union as a full member of the G20. In the midst of a reconfiguration of the international order, the 54 African states seek to consolidate their position, often acting as a bloc.

These dynamics make Spain's action in Africa a strategic necessity, offering opportunities for the continent's development and progress, as reflected in the new Strategy.

Meeting with the Afro-diaspora and African civil society at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation in May 2024.

Africa as a priority for Spain

The Strategy "Spain-Africa 2025-2028: Working Together through a Strategic Relationship" presented by the Prime Minister on 5 December 2024, will guide Spain's foreign policy on the continent over the next four years, making a qualitative leap in its relations.

This is a strategy that 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 have participated in drafting the strategy based on the principles of partnership and mutual respect and benefit. The Spain-Africa Strategy points to a set of assets that Spain already possesses, such as its human, geographical, historical and cultural ties and a privileged engagement with African actors, both bilaterally and through international organisations such as the African Union and ECOWAS.

The Strategy is structured around five strategic goals which are broken down into 100 lines of action. The strategic goals are:

Establish a Spanish-African relationship that deepens reciprocal knowledge and dialogue and facilitates joint action (Strengthening)
To consolidate sustainable development in Africa through the involvement of Spanish, European and international institutions, companies and organisations, but above all through the involvement of young people (Growing)
To forge closer links between the societies and economies of Africa, Spain and the world (Connecting)
To enhance security capabilities (Protecting)
To strengthen open African societies with strong and more inclusive institutions (Living together)

Meeting with ambassadors of African countries in Spain on the new Spain-Africa strategy and the implementation of the 100 lines of action on 17 January 2025

The extensive network of embassies and Spanish Cooperation Offices throughout the continent also ensures an extensive institutional presence, which can also be seen in the EU's military missions on the continent. Spain participates in all of them. The commitment to Africa also transcends the cultural field: the recognition of Spanish as a working language of the African Union or the inauguration 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 give continuity to some of the existing instruments, such as the Global Gateway, the new Spanish initiative Alianza África Avanza and 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 Inter-ministerial Commission for Africa, to improve coordination and monitoring of its objectives.

Minister Albares visits Gambia's Hotel And Tourism Institute (June 2024)

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