The Samoa Agreement and EU-Africa interregionalism

The Samoa Agreement, signed in November 2023 by the African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS) and the European Union (EU), signals potential important changes to the long-lasting relationship between these two groups of states. In the past, this group-to-group relationship tended to be described as a loose form of interregionalism and criticised for a lack of coherence with other overlapping frameworks of governance, notably in Africa. It has also been seen as highly asymmetric and tainted by neocolonial overtones. This paper examines the implications of the Samoa Agreement on Africa-EU relations from a regionalism perspective. Drawing on the concepts of regional actorness and interregionalism it explores whether the overall process and outcome of the Samoa Agreement’s negotiation contribute to reinforce or, instead, undermine Africa-EU interregional relations. The main findings point to the persistence of a complex system of governance that is likely to continue presenting important challenges of coordination and coherence. Moreover, it is far from clear that the changes now introduced will produce mutual development benefits and greater partnership in Africa-EU relations. These challenges and risks are particularly compelling for the future of the relationship at a period of intensified global competition and uncertainty.