MBABANE – The first plenary session of the Africa and European Union Parliamentary Assembly has released an extensive package of 87 recommendations aimed at reshaping relations between Africa and Europe, with strong emphasis placed on peace and security, critical minerals, youth empowerment, agriculture, migration, culture and multilateral cooperation.
The recommendations were adopted following the inaugural sitting of the Africa-EU Parliamentary Assembly held in Ezulwini Palazzo ICC, Eswatini, from May 12-14, 2026.
The recommendations reflect growing concern over global insecurity, economic inequalities, climate vulnerabilities and geopolitical competition over Africa’s strategic resources.
The Assembly repeatedly stressed the need for mutual benefit, shared value creation and African ownership in future cooperation agreements between the two continents.
A significant portion of the recommendations focused on escalating insecurity across several parts of Africa and the wider global environment.
The Assembly expressed deep concern over the prolonged violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where armed groups and the illicit exploitation of natural resources continue fuelling instability.
It also condemned the resurgence of terrorism in the Sahel region, highlighting attacks in Mali and Chad which have resulted in civilian and military deaths, destruction of state institutions and worsening humanitarian crises.
Sudan’s civil conflict also featured prominently, with the Assembly condemning attacks on civilian infrastructure including Khartoum airport while calling on the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) to engage in peace negotiations.
The recommendations further addressed the war in Ukraine and instability in the Middle East, warning that these conflicts continue to threaten global food security, energy markets and trade routes affecting both Africa and Europe.
In total, 21 recommendations were dedicated to peace and security matters alone.
The Assembly called for stronger Africa-EU cooperation on intelligence-sharing, border management, anti-terrorism operations, migration management and combating organised crime and human trafficking.
It also warned against foreign interference in African conflicts through mercenary deployment, arms transfers and illicit mining activities.
Another major area of focus was Africa’s vast reserves of critical minerals, which are increasingly becoming central to the global green energy transition and digital economy.
The Assembly adopted 16 recommendations on critical minerals partnerships.
Delegates warned against extractive arrangements that merely reproduce dependency patterns where Africa exports raw materials while value addition and industrial profits occur elsewhere.
Instead, they called for partnerships based on industrialisation, technology transfer, local beneficiation, infrastructure investment and job creation within African countries.
The recommendations urged scaling up private investment in local processing plants, refining facilities and manufacturing industries linked to strategic minerals.
Strong emphasis was also placed on environmental protection, anti-corruption safeguards, traceability systems and community rights in mining areas.
The Assembly further proposed the creation of a coordinated institutional framework within the OACPS-EU partnership to oversee critical raw materials cooperation.
Parliamentary oversight was identified as essential in ensuring transparency and accountability in future mineral agreements.
Agriculture and women’s economic empowerment emerged as another major pillar of the discussions.
The Assembly adopted 9 recommendations under inclusive agricultural value chains.
Delegates urged increased investment in climate-smart agriculture, irrigation systems, water harvesting technologies and rural infrastructure to improve food security and reduce dependency on imports.
Special attention was given to women farmers following the United Nations’ declaration of 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
The Assembly called for expanded access to finance, training, markets, land ownership and digital technologies for women involved in agriculture and agri-business.
It also pushed for policies supporting smallholder farmers and regional food value chains instead of overreliance on corporate-dominated supply systems.
Youth, education and mobility formed another substantial section of the recommendations.
A total of 14 recommendations focused on youth development, skills training and migration.
The Assembly stressed that young people must be placed “at the heart” of the renewed Africa-EU partnership.
Among the proposals was the expansion of Erasmus+, Horizon Europe and intra-African academic mobility programmes to increase opportunities for African and European students, researchers and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) learners.
The Assembly also recommended the establishment of a fast-track academic and scientific visa system to ease travel restrictions for students, researchers and young entrepreneurs.
Artificial intelligence, digital innovation and youth entrepreneurship were highlighted as strategic areas for cooperation between Africa and Europe.
The recommendations called for increased support for digital start-ups, innovation hubs and youth-led enterprises through affordable financing schemes, low-interest loans and grant programmes.
Sport was also recognised as a peacebuilding tool, especially in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
Culture and creative industries received renewed recognition as important drivers of economic growth, identity, youth employment and peacebuilding.
The Assembly adopted seven recommendations encouraging cultural exchanges, co-productions, artist residency programmes and improved mobility pathways for creatives between Africa and Europe.
Delegates further proposed the establishment of an AU-EU Creative Industries Compact to strengthen intellectual property protection, financing and access to digital distribution markets.
The recommendations additionally called for cooperation on heritage preservation and dialogue regarding the restitution and return of African cultural artefacts held abroad.
On multilateralism, the Assembly reaffirmed support for the United Nations and called for reforms to global governance systems.
Twelve recommendations addressed multilateral cooperation, including calls for Africa to secure fairer representation at the United Nations Security Council.
The Assembly also advocated reforms to international financial institutions to improve debt sustainability, climate financing access and development funding for African countries.
Trade relations also featured prominently, with calls for stronger support towards implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
The Assembly stressed the importance of infrastructure investment in energy, transport and digital connectivity under initiatives such as the EU’s Global Gateway programme and Africa’s Programme for Infrastructure Development (PIDA).
Implementation and accountability mechanisms formed the final section of the recommendations.
Eight recommendations focused on monitoring, parliamentary oversight and reporting mechanisms under the Samoa Agreement.
National parliaments were encouraged to regularly review implementation of commitments through parliamentary committees while ensuring transparency in EU-funded projects.
The Assembly also requested the Africa-EU Council of Ministers to provide detailed reports on how the recommendations are being implemented, including funding allocations, measurable indicators and programme outcomes.
The recommendations now await consideration by the Africa-EU Council of Ministers and other institutions including the European Commission, the European External Action Service, African Union institutions and governments of African and European Union member states.
Summary of Key Recommendations
21 recommendations on Peace and Security
Address conflicts in DRC, Sudan, Sahel, Mozambique and global crises.
Strengthen intelligence-sharing and anti-terrorism cooperation.
Combat illicit mining, trafficking and mercenary networks.
Support refugee-hosting communities and peacebuilding efforts.
16 recommendations on Critical Minerals
Promote local beneficiation and industrialisation.
Increase technology transfer and infrastructure investment.
Strengthen environmental protection and anti-corruption safeguards.
Enhance parliamentary oversight over mining agreements.
9 recommendations on Agriculture and Women Empowerment
Expand irrigation and climate-smart agriculture.
Improve women farmers’ access to finance, land and markets.
Strengthen regional food value chains and food sovereignty.
14 recommendations on Youth, Education and Mobility
Expand Erasmus+, TVET and academic exchanges.
Introduce fast-track visas for students and researchers.
Support AI innovation, digital entrepreneurship and start-ups.
7 recommendations on Culture and Creative Industries
Promote artist exchanges and cultural co-productions.
Support creative entrepreneurs and heritage preservation.
Establish an AU-EU Creative Industries Compact.
12 recommendations on Multilateralism
Push for UN Security Council reform.
Reform global financial institutions.
Accelerate AfCFTA implementation and infrastructure investment.
8 recommendations on Oversight and Implementation
Strengthen parliamentary monitoring and accountability.
Introduce measurable indicators and reporting systems.
Ensure transparency in funding and programme delivery.
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