By Baboloki Semele: In a significant moment for intercontinental diplomacy, leaders of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) will convene in Luanda, Angola, on 24–25 November 2025 for the seventh EU-AU Summit, marking 25 years of robust political and economic cooperation between the two blocs. The summit will be co-chaired by Angolan President João Lourenço, in his capacity as the rotating chair of the African Union, and António Costa, President of the European Council. The EU will also be represented by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underlining the summit’s high-level importance.
This milestone event takes place at a pivotal time in global geopolitics, as both continents seek to consolidate a stronger, more balanced partnership focused on mutual respect and shared development priorities.
“A strong, balanced, and forward-looking EU-Africa partnership is our goal for this milestone summit. The EU remains a reliable, predictable partner for Africa. Together, we can tackle global challenges and unlock shared opportunities,” said António Costa.
The two-day summit will centre on priority areas of cooperation, including peace and security, economic integration and trade, multilateralism and diplomacy, green development and climate action, digitalisation and technological innovation as well as migration, mobility, and human development
According to a press release from the European Council, the agenda reflects both historical partnerships and evolving global challenges, such as climate change, digital inequality, and post-pandemic economic recovery. Special attention will be given to how both unions can align efforts in realising the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the AU’s Agenda 2063. This summit follows the EU-AU Ministerial Meeting held in Brussels in May 2025, where foreign ministers reaffirmed their joint commitment to a future-oriented partnership grounded in common values and strategic interests. The outcomes of that meeting will serve as a foundation for deeper discussions in Luanda. The summit is also expected to reinforce the EU’s Global Gateway strategy, a €150 billion investment initiative that aims to boost infrastructure development, energy access, digital connectivity, and healthcare systems across Africa by 2030.
The 2025 summit coincides with the 25th anniversary of the Africa-EU Partnership, which was formally launched at the first EU-Africa Summit in Cairo in 2000. Over the past two and a half decades, the partnership has grown to encompass not just governmental dialogue, but also collaboration across trade, education, environment, and youth engagement. The release says as Africa’s largest trading partner and its leading source of foreign investment and development assistance, the EU views Africa as more than just a neighbour but a strategic ally in shaping the future of global governance. Africa, on the other hand, is increasingly asserting its voice on the world stage and seeking equitable, transparent cooperation based on mutual benefit. The European Peace Facility (EPF), established in 2021, continues to be a vital instrument in supporting peacekeeping and conflict prevention missions across the continent. With global dynamics rapidly shifting and the need for collective responses to common challenges growing, the upcoming EU-AU Summit in Angola is expected to chart a renewed course of action for both continents. Deliverables are likely to include new financial commitments, expanded trade frameworks, and enhanced youth, gender, and digital inclusion programmes. As anticipation builds toward November, stakeholders across civil society, business, and academia are watching closely, hoping that Luanda will not only celebrate the past 25 years, but also boldly define the next phase of EU-Africa cooperation.
Going down memory lane, starting with 2022 summit, Heads of State and Government from both the European Union and the African Union convened in Brussels on 17–18 February 2022 for the sixth EU–AU Summit, a high-level gathering co-chaired by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Macky Sall, then AU Chair and President of Senegal. This summit marked a significant effort to overcome delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and shift towards a more equal, forward-looking partnership between the two continents. At the heart of the summit was the adoption of a declaration titled “A Joint Vision for 2030”, outlining a revitalized partnership grounded in solidarity, security, peace, and sustainable economic growth and common values, including human rights, gender equality, the rule of law, environmental protection, and multilateralism.  A monumental commitment surfaced in the form of a €150 billion Africa–Europe Investment Package, designed to drive the shared 2030 Agenda and support the AU Agenda 2063. Its key focus areas are; 
Green transition and renewable energy
Digital infrastructure and connectivity
Transport systems and mobility
Youth entrepreneurship and job creation
Health systems, pandemic preparedness, and vaccine equity
Quality education and vocational training 
Implementation strategies include leveraging public funds to unlock private investment, improving governance, and collaborating with the European Investment Bank and African Development Bank. The fifth summit heald in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire (29–30 November 2017) was the first official AU–EU Summit, a symbolic shift from “Africa” to the African Union as the partner entity. The summit prioritized youth empowerment, peace and security, migration, governance, and economic opportunities. Over 80 heads of state participated, along with youth and civil society forums. Held under “Investing in People, Prosperity and Peace”, the fourth summit (2-3 April 2014, Brussels, Belgium) produced a Roadmap for 2014–2017 and an Action Plan on Migration and Mobility. It gathered over 60 leaders and 90 delegations to focus on democracy, human rights, sustainable development, and youth education and training. With the theme “Investment, Economic Growth and Job Creation”, the Tripoli Summit adopted the second Action Plan (2011–2013), reinforcing cooperation in the eight strategic sectors. It emphasized higher education, regional integration, and support for peace processes like South Sudan’s independence referendum and was held in tripoli, Lybia from 29-30 November 2010, whereas the second summit, the Lisbon Summit formally launched the Joint Africa–EU Strategy (JAES) and its first Action Plan (2008–2010). Held in Lisbon, Portugal from 8-9 December 2007, It established eight priority areas: peace and security; democracy and human rights; trade, regional integration, infrastructure; Millennium Development Goals; energy; climate change; migration and employment; science, information society, and space. The first summit was held from 3-4 April 2000 in Cairo, Egypt under the theme  “A New Dimension to Our Global Partnership”. This inaugural summit marked the start of political dialogue between Europe and Africa under the OAU/EU framework. Leaders pledged to strengthen ties in development, human rights, peace, governance, regional integration, and debt relief.
About the European Council
The European Council is the highest political body of the European Union (EU), bringing together the heads of state or government of the EU member countries, along with its President and the President of the European Commission. It defines the EU’s overall political direction and priorities but does not legislate.
Headquartered in Brussels, Belgium, the European Council plays a key leadership role in:
Setting the EU’s strategic agenda
Responding to crises and global challenges
Guiding foreign, security, and economic policies
Appointing top-level EU positions, including the President of the European Commission and the High Representative for Foreign Affairs
The European Council meets at least four times a year in formal summits, and additional meetings may be held as needed. While it does not pass laws, its decisions heavily influence the EU’s legislative and diplomatic actions.
The President of the European Council (currently António Costa as of 2025) is elected for a 2.5-year term, renewable once. The President chairs meetings, fosters consensus, and represents the EU externally on issues related to foreign and security policy at the level of heads of state and government.

The European Council is distinct from the Council of the European Union (also known as the Council of Ministers), which is involved in law-making alongside the European Parliament.
About the African Union
The African Union (AU) is the premier continental organization for political and economic integration in Africa. Established on 26 May 2001 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and officially launched on 9 July 2002 in Durban, South Africa, the AU succeeded the Organization of African Unity (OAU). Its founding marked a new era of continental unity, cooperation, and development.
The AU is made up of 55 member states from across the African continent. Its headquarters is in Addis Ababa, and its current rotating presidency is held by Angola (2025).
The African Union’s core objectives include:
Promoting peace, security, and stability across Africa
Encouraging political and economic integration
Advancing democratic governance and human rights
Accelerating sustainable development and technological innovation
Championing Africa’s voice on global issues through diplomacy and partnerships
The AU operates under a guiding vision known as Agenda 2063, which outlines Africa’s strategic framework for inclusive growth and sustainable development over 50 years.
Key organs of the AU include:
The Assembly of the African Union (comprising all heads of state and government)
The Executive Council (ministers of foreign affairs)
The African Union Commission (AU’s secretariat, currently chaired by Moussa Faki Mahamat)
The Peace and Security Council
The Pan-African Parliament
The African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights

The AU plays a critical role in peacekeeping, conflict prevention, development programs, and regional diplomacy. It is also a key partner to international organizations like the United Nations and the European Union, driving a global agenda rooted in African priorities and solutions.