Progressive Migration Group

Multilateral cooperation—especially between close partners such as Africa and Europe—remains a cornerstone of the international order. Whether at the level of AU–EU relations or through bilateral engagements between African and European states, cooperation between the two continents continues to be among the most consequential for both sides. However, recent developments within and beyond Europe have increasingly challenged this multilateral order, reflecting shifts in domestic politics across European countries and in the global system more broadly.

It is within this context that the EU is currently negotiating its Multiannual Financial Framework—an instrument that will define the Union’s priorities, approaches, and external cooperation agenda for the next seven years. The proposed €2 trillion budget is highly ambitious, representing approximately 1.26% of the EU’s gross national income.

Of this amount, €200.3 billion might be allocated under the Global Europe Instrument (GEI), which would mark an increase from €110 billion under the previous MFF (2021–2027). However, the new proposed framework clearly prioritizes “the neighborhood,” with Ukraine most likely receiving 37% of the GEI—an increase from 15% in the previous cycle. In contrast, Sub-Saharan Africa would according to this proposal only receive 22%, a decline from 30% under the previous MFF.

Beyond its financial dimensions, the MFF is fundamentally a political process, offering key insights into Europe’s evolving priorities and the future of cooperation with Africa over the next decade. One of the areas most directly affected by this framework will be the already complex EU–Africa cooperation agenda on migration.

Recognizing these developments, the PMG prepared a position paper outlining key implications for the future partnership between the two continents based on the current budget proposal, with a particular focus on articulating African perspectives on this important EU-level process. The paper highlights core elements of the proposed MFF, their linkages to migration cooperation, and entry points for African stakeholders in both the negotiation and implementation phases.

The position paper recommends that African governments adopt a coordinated and strategic approach to the ongoing MFF negotiations by advocating for predictable financing, greater transparency, and stronger African ownership of EU-funded partnerships. It calls for reframing the AU–EU partnership around shared priorities such as climate action, industrialization, jobs, and mobility, while engaging proactively with EU institutions and Member States throughout the negotiation process. On migration, the paper urges a shift from a predominantly security-driven agenda towards one centered on legal migration pathways, skills partnerships, youth employment, diaspora engagement, and rights-based return and reintegration, ensuring that future EU–Africa cooperation is grounded in mutual benefit, long-term development, and shared prosperity rather than migration conditionalities.

On 21 May 2026, these recommendations were discussed and presented to delegations from European embassies in Addis Ababa, the EU Delegation to the African Union, and development partners working on migration governance. The author of the position paper and member of the PMG, Dr. Amanda Bisong, presented the findings and recommendations of the expert group. This was followed by additional reflections from the Director of the European Affairs Programme at the Egmont Institute, Jean-Louis De Brouwer, who outlined further considerations for stakeholders in the AU–EU migration landscape.

You can read the PMG position paper here