Rethinking Africa–Europe Migration Cooperation Ahead of the 7th AU–EU Summit in Luanda

While past summits have often prioritized peace and security, this year’s discussions arrive amid intensifying debate on migration governance, human mobility, and the growing gap between policy and lived realities. The summit presents a unique opportunity for both unions to move beyond crisis-driven approaches and engage migration as a shared economic, social, and developmental priority—especially at a time when Africa holds substantial demographic potential and Europe faces profound labor shortages and an aging population. 

Recognizing this, the FES African Migration Policy Centre (AMPC) and the FES EU Office facilitated a delegation visit to Brussels to host a public dialogue and hold bilateral exchanges with key institutions, including the European External Action Service, the African Union Representation to the EU, European Parliament Members, EU Commission Representatives and the European Centre for Development Policy Management (ECDPM).

One of the key points of discussion were “false” and “exaggerated” narratives on migration. Recent exchanges between African and European policymakers, civil society leaders, and migration scholars highlight deep contradictions in current cooperation. Although African migration is largely regular and intra-continental, public debates continue to frame it through a narrow lens of deterrence and securitization. Visa policies remain unpredictable, costly, and in many cases exclusionary — undermining trust and fueling irregular migration channels. African panelists underscored that Africans spent an estimated €16 million in Schengen visa denials in 2024, while qualified students, researchers, and officials continue to face opaque procedures and short-term entry permits. These practices strain partnerships and reinforce perceptions of inequality.

At the same time, Europe’s demographic and labor market realities signal a growing need for ethical recruitment, fair skills partnerships, and mobility schemes grounded in dignity and rights. Participants emphasized that migration cooperation must shift from governing about Africa to governing with Africa. This includes strengthening multilateral frameworks such as the Global Compact for Migration, increasing portability of social protections, and designing return and reintegration programs that are voluntary, safe, and development-oriented. As highlighted in discussions, human rights cannot be an optional element in AU–EU cooperation, particularly as migration patterns increasingly involve women, youth, and skilled professionals.

The Luanda Summit offers space for both sides to engage in honest political dialogue and acknowledge “uncomfortable truths,” including visa regimes that inadvertently drive irregular migration and fuel trafficking networks. A more coherent cooperation framework requires transparency, centralized visa processing mechanisms at country level, and predictable mobility pathways that reflect the mutual benefits of migration. It also demands that non-state actors—youth networks, labor unions, research institutions, and diaspora organizations—play a more meaningful role in shaping AU–EU agenda-setting and implementation.

As Africa and Europe look toward a new phase in their partnership, migration must be discussed not as a threat, but as a cornerstone of shared prosperity and regional influence. A partnership grounded in dignity, evidence, and reciprocity can help restore trust and build a forward-looking framework that reflects today’s realities rather than outdated narratives. The conversations leading to Luanda make one point clear: if the AU–EU relationship is to remain credible, migration must be addressed as a strategic priority—one defined by cooperation, not containment.