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President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived in Luanda, Angola, on Monday morning, 24 November 2025, to attend the 7th African Union–European Union Summit, held from 24 to 25 November. The gathering celebrated the 25th anniversary of the AU–EU partnership, established in Cairo in 2000. Leaders from both regions met to strengthen political and economic cooperation.
What Happened
Ramaphosa landed in Luanda to participate in the 7th AU–EU Summit, which demonstrated the evolving cooperation between the two regions. The partnership began in 2000 as the “EU–Africa Partnership” before it was redefined as the “AU–EU Summit” in 2017 during the Abidjan meeting.
This year’s Summit took place during a period of global instability, rising security threats and increased unilateral actions by several states. It followed South Africa’s successful hosting of the 2025 G20 Leaders’ Summit, where both the AU and EU played central roles in shaping global economic and social consensus.
As a member of the African Union, South Africa used the Summit to prioritise support for the Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan of Agenda 2063.
Official Response
The African Union delegation was led by host President João Lourenço, supported by AU Commission Chairperson Mahmoud Ali Youssouf. The European Union was represented by António Costa, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Leaders from Denmark, France, Hungary, Croatia, Spain, the Czech Republic, Italy, Finland, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, Ireland and Germany also attended.
Two plenary thematic sessions anchored the Summit:
- Peace, Security, Governance and Multilateralism
- Prosperity, People – Migration and Mobility
President Ramaphosa attended the Summit with Ronald Lamola, Minister of International Relations and Cooperation.
Community Impact
Although the Summit focused on continental and international priorities, its outcomes are expected to influence Africa’s long-term development goals, economic cooperation and regional security. Strengthened AU–EU ties are likely to guide shared responses to migration, governance, peace and sustainable growth.
