Denmark is winning new friends by developing pragmatic diplomacy in Africa. Learn more about the new Danish strategy titled ‘Africa’s Century’.
Last August, the Danish foreign minister, Lars Røkke Rasmussen, launched a strategy for strengthened engagement with governments, businesses and civil society across all of the African continent. Equal partnerships with African countries is a central focus of the new strategy that further focuses on job creation, energy transition and climate adaptation, with a particular emphasis on water, forests and biodiversity.
Already in 2023, the Denmark Minister for Development Cooperation and Global Climate Policy, Mr. Dan Jørgensen, as part of a three-nation tour of Africa held bilateral discussions with Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Hon. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong. The discussions focused on enhancing relations and cooperation between the two countries, in the areas of economic development, peace and security, and good governance.
“While development cooperation remains key, we are embracing a new and broader approach putting issues of trade and investments, foreign and security policy, green transitioning, tech, and people-to-people relations higher on the agenda — keeping in line with the Africa Union’s own strategic plan ‘Agenda 2063’,’ said Røkke Rasmussen.
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Earlier this year, the Ghanaian professor Kwesi Aning shared his perspective and recommendations for the then upcoming Danish strategy for engagement with African countries. As keynote speaker at a Global Focus event in the Danish Parliament, he began by emphasizing: “We need a new engagement that redefines what partnerships are, and those who engage must be brave enough to listen, ask questions and participate in dialogue that seeks consensus.”
Africa’s importance on the international scene has never been greater. Home to 11 of the world’s 20 fastest-growing economies, the continent’s impressive economic projections are supported by estimates that 24% of the global working-age population will be Africans by 2050. By mid-century, one in every three of the world’s youth will be African.
By 2026, Denmark will open three new physical embassies – in Senegal, Tunisia and Rowanda – and upgrade its existing outpost in Egypt, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya into regional hubs. It will also create its first African ‘innovation center’ in Kenya.
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“I have myself experienced the very strong bonds to Africa that Denmark has – both when I have visited the continent and when I have had the pleasure of welcoming African partners to Denmark. With our new strategy for a strengthened Danish engagement with the African countries, Denmark will focus on enhancing trade and investments even further, as well as increase cooperation on education and exchange students. From 2025, we will also contribute more to the EU’s efforts in Africa. Our support will focus on free trade, green infrastructure and digitalization. We hope that this can help Denmark and the EU to become the preferred partner for the African countries”, says the Minister for Foreign Affairs.
When it comes to accelerating the green transition, the African continent is equally essential. It is estimated that the continent holds more than 39% of the world’s renewable energy resources and is home to approximately 30% of the world’s global mineral reserves. On the flip side, African countries are among those hardest hit by climate change. In 2050, one in every two climate-displaced persons is expected to be from Africa, demonstrating the continent’s high vulnerability to the impacts of climate change.
As Denmark shutters its embassies in military dictatorships Mali and Burkina Faso, it makes sense that the country focuses its resources on the African countries that will be more receptive to its considerable charms.
in 2025 the Danish Government will explore how Denmark can contribute to strengthening the establishment of cold chains for agricultural products in Africa.
See the list of initiatives in the fact sheet and read the full text of the strategy.
New Danish Strategy Titled ‘Africa’s Century’ written by Tor Kjolberg
Feature image (on top) © Sergey Pesterev/Unsplash