The European Union, Africa and the Sustainable Development Goals: From High Ambitions to Weak Implementation

The European Union has high ambitions for Africa but faces challenges in implementation due to contradictory policies and a focus on intentions rather than outcomes. The Sustainable Development Goals require fundamental transformations, with greater attention to the drivers and barriers for political and economic transformation in Africa and a greater interest in the relationship between donors and recipients.

Format: Hardback
Length: 236 pages
Publication date: 15 May 2024
Publisher: Lexington Books

The European Union (EU) has set high ambitions for Africa and the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). One example of this is the new Africa Strategy, where the EU aims to establish a strong partnership with the African Union (AU). However, the implementation of these ambitions has been less than satisfactory. The EU's policies, shaped by the Commission and member states, are often contradictory and difficult to fulfill locally in Africa. Furthermore, they tend to focus on intentions rather than outcomes. To address these challenges, the EU needs to decenter its policies to allow for the African context to play a more significant role in the design and execution of policies. The SDGs require fundamental transformations in political and economic development, with a greater emphasis on the drivers and barriers for political and economic transformation in Africa. Additionally, there is a need for a greater interest in the relationship between donors and recipients to build trust and find mutual gain. The EU must recognize that it is dependent on its African partners while simultaneously seeking to influence and revise some of the African policies.

Weight: 490g
Dimension: 236 x 159 x 20 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781666957679