This policy brief considers the prospects of the relationship between the AU and the EU maturing beyond the traditional dependency model. Although great progress has been made since the EU was established and its relationship with predominantly ex-colonies has been given specific structure and content, the EU still sets the agenda and scope of financial assistance to implement this. The policy
brief provides an overview of the proposed agenda and likely outcomes of the fifth AU–EU Summit of Heads of State and Government, which takes place in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, in November 2017. Despite advances, the AU–EU relationship is not yet a true partnership. The brief makes
recommendations towards attaining the partnership goal.
