Fostering sustainable agrifood trade and competitiveness in EU-Africa relations

25 November 2025. Fostering sustainable agrifood trade and competitiveness in EU-Africa relations. COLEAD at the 7th African Union–European Union Summit (24-25 November 2025, Luanda).

Political leaders from the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU) formally reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen agricultural cooperation and deepen sustainable agrifood trade between the two continents. The final summit Joint declaration of the 7th African Union – European Union Summit explicitly endorses sustainable and resilient agricultural and food-system transformation as a priority — noting that cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture will be a key driver of growth, job creation and improved nutrition across Africa and Europe.

Speakers & Moderators

• Patrick DEEGBE Director Wad African Foods Ltd.
• Jane MAINA
• Tewodros BEKELE

Summary of the main agrifood-related (and allied) commitments

• Strengthened agricultural cooperation including fisheries/aquaculture — Leaders committed to boosting cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, recognising these as sectors that can drive growth, create jobs and improve food security on both continents. 
• Support for sustainable, resilient agrifood and food-system transformation — The Summit’s joint declaration endorses sustainable and resilient agriculture and food-system transformation as strategic priorities, linking them to nutrition, food security and broader development goals. 
• Promotion of value-addition, agro-industrialization and diversification beyond raw commodity trade — The declaration emphasises transforming Africa’s role from primarily raw-commodity supplier to more diversified, value-added agro-industrial and agrifood supply chains — a shift highly relevant to sustainable agrifood trade and competitiveness. 
• Aligning ambitions under shared frameworks: Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) & the EU Vision for Agriculture and Food — The leaders reaffirmed the alignment of AU–EU agrifood cooperation under CAADP and the EU’s agri-food vision via the AU–EU Agriculture Ministerial Conference. 
• Sustainable natural-resource management and circular economy, including sustainable blue economy & combating IUU fishing — The Summit committed to promoting sustainable resource management, circular economy practices, curbing illegal/unregulated fishing, and developing a sustainable blue economy — which includes fisheries/aquaculture as part of agrifood systems. 
• Leveraging large-scale investment frameworks to support agrifood systems transformation — Through the continuation of the Global Gateway Africa‑Europe Investment Package, the Summit reaffirmed commitment to mobilising public and private funds for green, inclusive, and sustainable transformation — including agriculture, agro-industry, food systems, and related infrastructure. 
• Linking agrifood cooperation with broader goals of green transition, climate resilience, and sustainable development — Agrifood trade, production and sectoral cooperation are embedded in a comprehensive vision for sustainable growth, climate action, and multilateral cooperation, reflecting the linkage between food systems and environmental & social sustainability. 

Related:

24-25 November 2025. Luanda. 7th African Union–European Union Summit 

The 7th African Union–European Union Summit focused on renewing political partnership and advancing peace, prosperity, and sustainable development—highlighting cooperation on agrifood systems, trade, climate action, security, and economic transformation between Africa and Europe.