European elites are actively and strategically trying to counter the rising influence of China, Russia, and other global players in Africa.

This effort stems from a recognition that their traditional dominance is being challenged, threatening their access to vital resources, markets, and political leverage.

 The strategies they're employing are a blend of economic, diplomatic, and security initiatives designed to reassert Europe's position as Africa's preferred partner.

Economic and Diplomatic Competition

The most visible front of this competition is in the economic and diplomatic spheres. For years, European nations held a near-monopoly on foreign investment and aid in many parts of Africa. However, China's "no-strings-attached" approach to infrastructure development and investment has provided an attractive alternative for African leaders seeking to bypass Western conditionalities.

• The Global Gateway Initiative: The European Union's flagship response to China's Belt and Road Initiative is the Global Gateway. Launched in 2021, this strategy aims to mobilize up to €300 billion in investments by 2027 for "smart, clean, and secure" links in digital, energy, transport, health, and education sectors globally, with a significant portion earmarked for Africa. The initiative is presented as a "values-driven" alternative to China's model, emphasizing high environmental, social, and labor standards, transparency, and a focus on "partnerships, not dependencies."

• Competing Narratives: European leaders frequently frame their engagement as a superior, more equitable alternative to China's. They criticize China for creating "debt traps" and for its lack of democratic or human rights standards. While these criticisms may have merit, they also serve the geopolitical purpose of making Europe appear as a more reliable and trustworthy partner, even as European trade with Africa continues to be heavily skewed toward raw material extraction.

• The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA): The EU recognizes the immense potential of the AfCFTA and is keen to shape its development to its advantage. By engaging in high-level diplomatic talks and offering technical support, Europe seeks to ensure that the continent-wide trade bloc aligns with European standards and regulations, thereby creating a more favorable environment for European companies.

Security and Military Presence

Russia's re-emergence in Africa, often through the deployment of private military contractors like the Wagner Group, has posed a direct challenge to European military influence, particularly in former French colonies in the Sahel.

• Countering Russian Influence: European security partnerships in Africa are now explicitly aimed at countering Russia's growing footprint. Countries like Mali and Niger have recently expelled French and other European forces, turning instead to Russia for security assistance. In response, European leaders are recalibrating their security strategies, seeking to offer more effective and less politically intrusive alternatives to Russia's model. They are working to strengthen partnerships with African governments that are still willing to cooperate and are emphasizing a return to a more "African-led" security architecture, while still providing critical funding and training.

• Protecting Strategic Interests: European military operations, such as those in the Sahel and the Horn of Africa, are a direct reflection of broader geopolitical interests. Beyond "counter-terrorism," these missions protect key trade routes and energy infrastructure from instability. By maintaining a military presence, Europe can protect its access to critical resources and ensure the stability of regions vital to its own security, while also countering Russian influence and its destabilizing "military-business model."

The Critical Minerals Race

The global race for critical raw materials has intensified the geopolitical competition in Africa. These minerals, essential for the green and digital transitions, are abundant in Africa, and European elites are trying to secure a stable supply chain to reduce their dependence on rivals.

• Strategic Partnerships: European leaders are actively negotiating new partnerships and investment deals to secure access to minerals like cobalt, lithium, and rare earth elements. Initiatives like the EU's Critical Raw Materials Act (CRMA) are part of a coordinated effort to secure these supplies and build more resilient value chains that bypass competitors. While they frame these deals as "sustainable" and "ethical," the underlying motivation is to ensure a continuous supply for European industries. This competition is forcing Europe to offer more competitive terms than in the past, but the fundamental dynamic of resource extraction for European benefit remains.

In conclusion, European elites are trying to counter the rising influence of China, Russia, and other global players in Africa with a mix of economic, diplomatic, and security strategies.

This effort is a direct response to a changing geopolitical landscape where European dominance is no longer guaranteed.

While these initiatives are often presented as benevolent partnerships, they are fundamentally designed to protect and advance European interests by ensuring access to Africa's resources, markets, and strategic cooperation.