Europe and China Engagement in Africa: Toward a Strategic Trilateral Engagement?

Considering Africa’s history of Western external interference and overlay, as well as the shifting geostrategic alliances leaning toward the East, this article proposes a trilateral platform for Africa–European Union (EU)–Chinese engagement. The article argues that “trilateralism” provides a common platform for dialogue that ensures win–win outcomes for all parties. Africa should lead the call for trilateralism, given its bitter partnership experience with Europe and its warm embrace of a newfound partner from the East, while considering the comparative advantages of both worlds. The article provides an analysis of the emerging challenges and opportunities for China and Europe in their engagement with Africa in a post-COVID-19 world. Europe’s engagement with Africa is rooted in its historical connections to the continent, while China’s involvement is shaped by its post-Maoist global strategy. At the same time, Africa increasingly sees itself as an emerging power with the potential to influence global conversations on key issues. These evolving perspectives create a favorable foundation for a trilateral engagement among the three parties, enabling them to collaboratively explore both the opportunities and challenges that such interactions present.