Paulo Aguiar
In the aftermath of decolonization, Europe’s engagement with Africa was largely shaped by a developmental ethos rooted in normative ideals—shared values, democracy promotion, and human rights. For decades, European policy focused on capacity-building and humanitarian aid while avoiding direct political or military entanglements. These efforts included funding for rural electrification, water and sanitation projects, support for civil society, and institutional reform.
However, rising geopolitical tensions, shifting migration patterns, increasing resource dependencies, and the diminishing influence of former colonial powers have prompted a strategic reorientation. This article examines the evolution of European policy in Africa, arguing that its current trajectory reflects a recalibrated realism—blending normative commitments with a more transactional approach aimed at safeguarding its interests in a multipolar world.
Altruistic Aid or Strategic Assistance?
Europe’s policies in Africa are driven by a mix of post-colonial guilt and normative ambition. Development aid, governance initiatives, and multilateral partnerships are framed in the language of equality and human rights, promoting gender equity, rural development, and education. Yet behind this altruistic façade lie pragmatic objectives: stemming mass migration, cultivating stable trade partners, and buffering against regional instability that could spill into Europe’s immediate neighborhood.
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