Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Bianca Odumegwu-Ojukwu, has called for a more strategic, equitable and resilient partnership between Africa and Europe to effectively tackle the growing geopolitical challenges facing the international community.
The minister made the call while speaking during Panel Six on Geopolitics at the Portugal EurAfrican Forum 2026, held under the theme: “How Will Africa and Europe Navigate Global Geopolitical Turmoil?”
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu said the evolving global landscape, marked by armed conflicts, economic fragmentation, terrorism, climate change, food insecurity and disruptions to global supply chains, requires stronger cooperation based on mutual respect, shared responsibility and common interests.
She stressed that Africa should no longer be viewed solely through the lens of humanitarian crises or resource extraction but should be recognised as a strategic partner with vast human capital, abundant natural resources, expanding markets and significant innovation potential.
The minister outlined four key priorities for strengthening Africa-Europe relations. These include promoting economic resilience through industrialisation, infrastructure development, technology transfer and value chain expansion; enhancing cooperation on peace, security and counter-terrorism; advancing a fair and balanced approach to climate action through increased climate financing and technology transfer; and reforming global governance institutions to reflect current geopolitical realities, including granting Africa permanent representation on the United Nations Security Council.
Ambassador Odumegwu-Ojukwu reaffirmed that Nigeria’s foreign policy under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda remains anchored on strategic engagement, economic diplomacy, regional stability and mutually beneficial international partnerships.
She also emphasised the need for Africa to pursue greater strategic autonomy by engaging with global partners from a position of confidence, guided by its national and continental interests rather than external geopolitical rivalries.
The minister maintained that stronger Africa-Europe cooperation would be essential to promoting sustainable development, regional stability and inclusive global governance in an increasingly complex international environment.