POLICY BRIEF: 2026-09-24
⏱ 3 min read

Executive Summary

France and Italy are reshaping their Africa strategies, transitioning from aid-focused approaches to investment-driven partnerships. This shift reflects a broader European effort to compete with global powers like China and the UAE, while addressing Africa’s industrial and infrastructure needs. However, fragmented national strategies risk undermining Europe’s collective potential.

Over the past decade, Africa has emerged as a critical player in global geopolitics and economics. Historically, Europe has maintained strong ties with the continent, largely shaped by colonial legacies and post-colonial aid frameworks. However, as global powers like China and Gulf states have deepened their economic influence in Africa, Europe has been forced to rethink its approach.

France and Italy, two of Europe’s most active players in Africa, have recently overhauled their strategies. France, with its colonial history, has traditionally led European engagement in Africa, while Italy has sought to position itself as a rising competitor. Both nations are now focusing on fostering economic partnerships rather than relying on aid, aligning with Africa’s push to be seen as an equal partner. This shift has been marked by high-profile summits and investment strategies aimed at industrialization, infrastructure, and sustainable development.

Policy Motivations: France and Italy’s new strategies are driven by a recognition of Africa’s growing economic importance. The continent’s vast reserves of critical minerals, its young workforce, and its potential as a manufacturing hub make it a key partner for Europe’s economic security. Both nations aim to secure supply chains and reduce dependence on external powers like China.

Challenges of Fragmentation: Despite shared goals, European efforts remain fragmented. France’s Africa Forward strategy and Italy’s Mattei Plan target similar sectors—energy, infrastructure, and industrialization—but operate independently. This lack of coordination dilutes Europe’s collective influence and makes it harder to compete with more unified strategies from China and the UAE.

Investment Dynamics: A major hurdle is the type of investment flowing into Africa. European investments remain heavily focused on extractive industries, which do little to foster long-term industrial growth. Meanwhile, Africa’s own domestic capital is underutilized, often directed toward short-term projects rather than transformative sectors like manufacturing. France and Italy are attempting to address this by leveraging public funds to attract private investment, but scaling these efforts across Europe remains a challenge.

Impact on Migrants

France and Italy’s evolving Africa policies represent a significant shift in Europe’s approach to the continent. While these strategies hold promise, their success depends on greater coordination across Europe and a genuine commitment to equitable, transformative investment. The future of Europe-Africa relations hinges on whether these policies can deliver meaningful change for both continents.