The workshop will bring together experts on Africa’s international relations alongside EU and Belgian officials to explore what long-term trends are likely to mark the position of Africa in the world. The focus will be both on discussing the role of external partners in Africa (in particular the role of emerging powers) and the influence and power of Africa in the world. The workshop forms part of the ‘African Futures: Horizon 2025’ project coordinated by the EUISS, and in which the Egmont Institute is a partner organization.

Programme

11.15 – 11.45     Welcome remarks and introduction

Antonio Missiroli, Director, European Union Institute for Security Studies

Valerie Arnould, Senior Research Fellow, Egmont-Royal Institute for International Relations and Associate Senior Analyst, EUISS

11.45 – 13.30     Session 1: Africa’s evolving relations with external partners

Chair: Francesco Strazzari, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs

Speakers:

Chris Alden, Professor in International Relations, London School of Economics

Bernardo Venturi, Researcher, Istituto Affari Internazionali

Christine Hackenesch, Senior Researcher, German Development Institute

13.30 – 14.45     Lunch

14.45 – 16.30     Session 2: Projecting African power into the world

Chair: Valerie Arnould, Egmont – Royal Institute for International Relations

Speakers:

Jakkie Cilliers, Head of African Futures & Innovation, Institute for Security Studies

Natznet Tesfay, Director of Africa Analysis, IHS-Markit

Martin Welz, University of Konstanz and Visiting Professor, Friedrich Schiller University Jena

16.30 – 17.30     Closing session

Koen Vervaeke, Managing Director Africa, European External Action Service

(Photo credit: Wikimedia Commons)