The EU-ACP Economic Partnership Agreements promise greater market access and development support for African countries, yet their implementation risks undermining state sovereignty, regional integration, and local industries, raising questions about who truly benefits from these trade deals.

At the upcoming AU–EU Summit in Luanda, the question is not just how Europe engages with Africa, but whether the African Union is ready to lead boldly and independently. From AfCFTA’s untapped potential to the continent’s control of critical minerals, Africa holds immense leverage in shaping global trade and the green transition. Yet, without narrative power, fiscal autonomy, and strategic unity, that leverage risks slipping away.