Africa Spain Summit: a unique opportunity for dialogue between Europe and Africa
Promoted by the Spanish Government in collaboration with the European Union and organised by One Africa Forums, the Africa Spain Summit, an action platform in line with Africa's rise as the new hub of the global economy, will begin today and end on 8 July at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Madrid.
In a clear commitment to cooperation at the institutional and human level, marked by uncertainty, increased migration flows and geopolitical tensions, One Africa will bring together government and institutional leaders and representatives of multilateral organisations from both continents to develop and promote strategic links based on common interests.
Among the main participants are: José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Government of Spain; Wamkele Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA); Elmi Mohamud Nor Ali, Minister of Public Works, Reconstruction and Housing of Somalia; Francisca Tatchouop Belobe, Vice-President of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS); Mohamed Methqal, Ambassador and Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation; Suzi Carla Barbosa, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Guinea-Bissau; Arthur Minsat, Head of the Africa, Europe and Middle East Unit at the OECD; Alicia Varela, Director General of International Trade and Investment of the Government of Spain; Mankeur Ndiaye, former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Senegal; and José Segura Clavell, Director General of Casa África.
Event programme
The Africa Spain Summit will kick off on Sunday 6 July with a welcome cocktail at the Wellington Hotel, starting at 7pm. On Monday 7, after an institutional welcome, the key points of the new joint Spain-Africa 2025-2028 project will be presented. The day will run from 9 a.m. to 9.30 p.m., with three breaks for lunch and dinner.
Throughout the day, there will be a series of thematic sessions, lasting approximately an hour and a half, which will address: the political and diplomatic dimension of the partnership, with the participation of representatives from Guinea-Bissau, Somalia, Morocco and Sierra Leone; the role of African youth, employment, training and economic inclusion, with a special emphasis on the role of women; the official launch of AFRICO, a new Ibero-African network of chambers of commerce, promoted by Gran Canaria; physical and digital connectivity, logistical integration and the role of strategic ports such as Tanger Med; common challenges in security, migration and climate change, where actors such as Interpol and the IOM will present proposals; and finally, the construction of a shared future through culture, human rights and governance, in a session charged with human symbolism. The day will close with a gala dinner hosted by Embassy of Morocco.
On Tuesday 8 July, there will be a change of venue. The final day, which will take place at Casa Árabe, will begin at 09:00 and end at 13:30 with a speech by José Manuel Albares, Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Government of Spain, and will begin by focusing on two fundamental questions: how to ensure that the ZLECAF (African Free Trade Area) and the European Border Carbon Adjustment Mechanism (BCAF) can coexist fairly; and which are the emerging African countries with the greatest potential for investment and cooperation.
