The European Union is one of the most important development actors in Africa. By virtue of their geographical proximity, the two regions are closely connected economically and geopolitically.
As part of its EuropeAid Funding Insights series, Devex has undertaken an exclusive analysis of EU planned funding activities in Africa over the course of more than a year, to reveal trends in where and how the money is being distributed.
EU relations with African countries are governed by numerous cooperation agreements and funding modalities. The most comprehensive is the “Cotonou Agreement,” a partnership deal between the EU and countries in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific. Since its revision in 2010, the Cotonou Agreement has become the basis of many of the priorities in the African Multi-Annual Action Programs — that is, programs of planned projects agreed between EU delegations and stakeholders in partner countries. A more specific relationship has also been organized under the Africa-EU Partnership, a formal channel through which the EU and Africa, represented by the African Union, work together.