What is behind the African miracle? Implications for European cooperation

The Elcano Royal Institute is a think-tank for international and strategic studies that analyses world events and trends from a Spanish, European and global perspective.

The Analyses of the Elcano Royal Institute (ARI)are short pieces - of around 3,000 words - on aspects of current international affairs considered to be of relevance to Spain, its foreign policy or its security. In broad terms ARIs are intended to have a predictive bearing on events.The evolution of African economies since the end of the raw-materials boom has been marked by a growing heterogeneity. The EU’s development cooperation should adapt to the new realities unfolding on the continent. Above all, the EU should recognise the specificity of political conditions in each country and act accordingly.
If Europe wants to have a positive impact in Africa, should begin to incorporate such variables into their calculus for action. To this end, the EU will need to overcome the incoherence created by the variety of conflicting incentives at the heart of European institutions.