ABSTRACT
Africa’s trade relationship with the European Union (EU) is a long-standing one that dates back to the colonial era. However, it was only in the 1970s during the first decades of their independence that African countries formalised a relationship with the EU: a sizeable number of independent African states came together with other countries from the Caribbean and Pacific (ACP), formed the ACP Group and negotiated a formal relationship with the European Economic Community. The EU later replaced the European Economic Community. This chapter discusses the main highlights of the EU-Africa trade relationship under the Cotonou Agreement and the EPAs. The focus on trade is deliberate given the importance of trade as the most visible expression of the age-long partnership between Europe and Africa. In terms of geographical coverage, the chapter focuses on sub-Saharan Africa. The African countries wish to negotiate with the EU as one group, separate from the Caribbean and Pacific groups of countries.
