Denmark launches new strategy for strengthening cooperation with African countries

Addis Ababa, August 26, 2024 (FBC) – Denmark launched a new strategy today for strengthening its engagement with the African countries in multiple areas including trade, investment, climate adaptation and people-to-people engagement.

We look forward to engaging with African partners to promoting areas of mutual interest, Foreign Affairs Minister of Denmark, Lars Løkke Rasmussen stated.

“Africa’s geopolitical relevance and importance have never been greater. Denmark and the EU must do more to become the preferred partner for African countries,” Foreign Minister Lars Løkke Rasmussen pointed out.

“African countries are not looking for handouts. They expect a mutually respectful handshake. And we as politicians must realise that we have not managed to keep up with developments,” the new strategy says.

Africa has the potential to produce the energy sources of the future with wind, water, and sun, and a wealth of minerals that are critical for the green transition. It is a continent with young, driven, and energetic Entrepreneurs, the strategy reads, underscoring the need to enhance cooperation with the continent in the areas of investment and trade.

Concering climate change, the strategy highlights enhanced cooperation between Denmark and Africa, “With a focus on climate-adapted agriculture and food production, water resources, protection and restoration of forests, biodiversity, clean energy for cooking and cooling, as well as preparedness and monitoring systems for early warning of dangerous weather.”

The document also underscored the need to enhance cooperation on technology and innovation, saying: “Denmark already has a lot of good experience regarding digitalisation in specific sectors such as public digitalisation, health, energy, water supply, and agriculture. We need to share these experiences.”

Regarding peace efforts in Africa, the strategy says: “We must have the courage to strengthen mediation and peacekeeping efforts. The African Union and the regional organisations must stand at the fore front and offer African solutions to crisis management. Financing African-led peacekeeping missions via the UN’s regular budget is a high priority for the African Union, which Denmark will support.”