Paper: Reframing Africa
Africa is often discussed through a narrow lens: crises, constraints, or dependency. That lens is outdated. Africa is a continent of 54 countries with diverse political and economic contexts and strong demographic and entrepreneurial momentum. Its choices and capabilities will shape global markets, climate resilience, supply chains, health security, and digital futures. For Europe and the Netherlands, the question is no longer whether Africa matters, but how we engage for mutual benefit.
Collaboration
This paper reframes Europe–Africa collaboration as a partnership of equals and reciprocity. It argues for a move from donor–recipient thinking toward reciprocal collaboration grounded in shared interests, value creation, and long-term investment in ecosystems.
The purpose is practical for both Africa and Europe: to unlock business opportunities, strengthen competitiveness and strategic autonomy, and accelerate societal impact. When collaboration is built on reciprocity, it is more sustainable.
Three facts make the opportunity urgent
- Africa will be home to 2 billion people by 2050, over one-fifth of humanity, with the world’s youngest and fastest-growing workforce.
- Africa’s economic growth is projected to accelerate, driven by agriculture, technology, and services, alongside a rapidly expanding middle class.
- Africa holds approximately 30% of global mineral reserves, including resources essential for the green and digital transitions worldwide.
Read more in this paper about:
- Potential of the African Continent
- Untapped Business Potential
- TNO in Africa
Can crickets solve africa’s food challenge?
In this episode of De Africast, TNO’s Flying Food project takes centre stage. What does it take to build a cricket farming value chain from scratch, and what can the Netherlands and Sub-Saharan Africa learn from each other during the protein transition?
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