The phenomenon of irregular migration from Africa to the EU has not ceased, especially since the 2015 migration wave, and is a prominent topic in social and political debates. The EU is trying to meet this challenge by providing security, justice and concern for human rights. But is the Union’s response really the right one?
Eliza Zaleska
Africa is a continent seven times the size of Europe, with three times the population, but its GDP is only 1/9 of that of Europe. Moreover, 19 of the 20 poorest countries in the world are on this continent. These statistics, combined with the many immigrants trying to enter Europe, paint a bleak picture. The European Union is taking many steps to address this challenge, but is focusing on short-term measures to reduce irregular migration, such as border controls, agreements with African countries to facilitate return or the fight against smuggling. More important, however, are measures that focus on improving the situation in Africa by providing better living conditions and development. As sociologist Hein de Haas says, “in the long run, migration will cease when its costs (social, economic and psychological) equal the wage differentials”. It is therefore a mistake to ignore the need to promote the improvement of the African economy, especially given that 11 of the 20 fastest growing economies are on the continent.
The EU has launched several programs to support Africa, especially the most vulnerable regions, by combating poverty, hunger, developing education and technology to dissuade people from illegally leaving their countries and offering them opportunities to live in dignity. This article presents three of the most popular initiatives, along with an assessment of their effectiveness and recommendations for improvement.
The first program is the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa (EUTF), created in 2015 in response to the migration crisis and aimed at providing funding to address instability or forced displacement in Africa. With more than €5 billion at its disposal, the Fund supports activities in the Sahel, Lake Chad, Horn of Africa and North Africa regions. It focuses on stabilization, the fight against human trafficking and the protection of migrants, and has played an important role in putting migration at the top of the EU agenda. Thanks to its flexibility, it funds projects quickly, even in complex circumstances, and facilitates the coordination of development, humanitarian and security activities. However, the initiative has been criticized for its overly broad scope, which often fails to focus on the most urgent needs. The European Court of Auditors highlighted the lack of adequate mechanisms to monitor the risk of human rights violations and overly optimistic reporting on results. EUTF also carried out activities that did not respond to real needs, such as sending a blender to an African school without access to electricity. The program ends in 2025, so improving its effectiveness should not be a priority, but the European Commission should focus on legitimate projects, it is also important to strengthen the monitoring of projects to detect risks of human rights violations and introduce clear reporting and prevention procedures.
Another initiative is NDICI-Global Europe, the EU’s main financial instrument for 2021-2027, which funds projects in Africa to improve living conditions, political stability and the economy. The program includes activities ranging from support for education, health and gender equality to infrastructure and energy transition. It also focuses on poverty and conflict reduction. The program integrates the activities of EU institutions and member states into Team Europe, ensuring better coordination of Africa’s development. Despite its good intentions, NDICI has been criticized for limited involvement of local communities, bureaucracy that slows down the implementation of initiatives, and lack of transparency in the allocation of funds. Although it prioritizes human and economic development, much of the funding goes to migration management and border security, limiting the program’s effectiveness in addressing the real sources of migration. To improve its effectiveness, more focus should be placed on long-term development, reducing bureaucratic barriers and improving cooperation with local partners. It should also be a priority to align projects with the real needs of societies to promote sustainable development and reduce migratory pressures.
Finally, Global Gateway, an EU strategy based on NDICI, was launched in 2021 to strengthen global infrastructure in response to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It plans to mobilize €300 billion by 2027, half of which will go to projects in Africa. The strategy includes investments in digitalization, energy, transport and healthcare and promotes European values of sustainable development. Its strength is its holistic approach, encompassing green transformation, digitalization and healthcare infrastructure. Projects such as the construction of 7,100 km of fiber optic cables and the development of clean hydrogen production demonstrate its scale. Global Gateway strives to establish equal relations with partner countries and avoid excessive indebtedness. However, the strategy faces numerous challenges. It has been criticized for being underfunded compared to the BRI and for favoring European companies to the detriment of local partners. In addition, a lack of transparency and weak social and political commitment limit its effectiveness. And the weak link between projects and local development strategies raises doubts about their impact on African economies. Increased funding, greater involvement of the private sector and better program management are recommended. It is important to adapt projects to local needs, strengthen the role of partners and support conflict resolution mechanisms. It is also necessary to deepen political and economic dialogue.
The above initiatives are not the only EU actions for Africa, but they are certainly among the most relevant. Experience shows that effective migration management requires the long-term promotion of stability and socio-economic development on the continent. Greater transparency of actions and the adaptation of aid programs to the needs of African communities make it possible to achieve a lasting impact. Strengthening coherence between short-term actions and long-term development projects remains a key challenge. Rather than focusing on portraying overcrowded migrant boats or sensationalist narratives about refugees, it is more important to promote actions that actually tackle the problem at its source. Such an approach could reduce stereotypes and public rejection of migration, highlighting the need to better manage funds and develop a strategy for Africa. Drawing attention to these issues is crucial, as many of the tragedies affecting African communities are often ignored by the media, especially when, at the same time, dramatic events occur in wealthier regions, such as the recent floods in Spain or the fires in California. The EU should not only invest in infrastructure and education, but also be more supportive of local business development initiatives, political stability and human rights measures, which in the long run can reduce immigration more effectively than restrictive border policies.
Eliza Zaleska
