By Riad Beladi
Europe’s Flawed Strategy in North Africa: A Missed Opportunity for Economic Growth
As the world becomes more interconnected, the importance of fostering strong economic partnerships has never been clearer. Yet, Europe’s approach to North African countries – Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt – stands as a glaring example of missed opportunity and outdated policies. Rather than helping these nations develop industries that could produce quality, affordable goods for global markets, Europe has allowed external powers such as China and Russia to fill the gap. The result? A region that could have been a strategic economic ally for Europe is now forging new alliances with emerging powers.
A Lesson Europe Failed to Learn
One only needs to look at the success of the United States‘ post-World War II strategies in the South Pacific to see what could have been. After the war, the U.S. helped countries like Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan to establish robust industrial and technological sectors, which allowed them to become economic powerhouses. These countries are now key players in international trade, and their development has created a mutually beneficial relationship with the U.S., leading to long-term prosperity for both sides.
Europe, however, has failed to adopt a similar approach with its North African neighbours. Instead of investing in the region’s industrial capabilities, European policies have largely focused on keeping these nations dependent on European goods and resources. This short-sighted approach not only limits North Africa’s economic potential but also hinders Europe from building a stronger, more collaborative trading partner right on its doorstep.
The Rise of China and Russia in North Africa
While Europe continues to push its outdated economic strategies, other global powers have seized the moment. China, with its Belt and Road Initiative, has invested heavily in North African infrastructure, from ports to railways and industrial zones. These projects are not only providing much-needed jobs and boosting local economies, but they are also positioning China as a key player in North Africa’s economic future. Russia, too, has expanded its influence in the region, focusing on energy and military cooperation.
This strategic engagement from China and Russia is creating long-term partnerships, where North African countries are not just recipients of foreign goods but are actively participating in global trade by producing and exporting their own products. Europe, by contrast, has remained largely passive, seemingly unwilling to foster the kind of industrial growth that would allow North African nations to become self-sufficient economic partners.
Europe’s Donkey-Like Policies
The reluctance of Europe to change its economic policies towards North Africa has been nothing short of self-defeating. It is as if the strategies being formed in the European Parliament are made by donkeys, ignoring the lessons of history and the opportunities at hand. By oppressing North African nations economically and keeping them dependent, Europe has failed to nurture what could have been a thriving industrial sector that would benefit both sides.
The truth is, North Africa has immense potential. The region is rich in natural resources, boasts a young and growing workforce, and is strategically located at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. By helping North African countries develop industries that can produce affordable, quality goods for international markets, Europe could have created a win-win situation. Yet, instead of investing in the region’s development, Europe has chosen to prioritise its own short-term economic gains.
The Cost of Inaction
Europe’s failure to adapt has allowed external powers to cement their influence in North Africa, reshaping the region’s economic landscape. Countries like China have taken the opportunity to establish deep-rooted partnerships, and as a result, they are reaping the benefits of increased trade and investment.
Meanwhile, North African nations are looking beyond Europe for economic support, opening up their markets to new players. The risk for Europe is clear: if it continues to sideline North Africa, it could lose out on a valuable economic ally and a critical gateway to the African continent.
A Call for Change
It is not too late for Europe to correct its course. By adopting policies that help North African countries establish industries and integrate into global supply chains, Europe could foster a new era of economic cooperation that would benefit both regions. The focus should be on investment in industrial development, technology transfer, and infrastructure projects that would enable North Africa to produce competitive goods at lower costs.
Furthermore, trade agreements that emphasise mutual benefit rather than dependency would empower North African nations to become stronger economic partners. Europe must realise that the future of its relationship with North Africa lies not in maintaining a stranglehold on the region’s resources but in helping it flourish as a partner in global trade.
Europe’s approach to North Africa has been marked by a failure to see the bigger picture. Rather than fostering growth and development, Europe has allowed other global powers to take the lead in a region that could have been a vital economic partner. The strategies emanating from the European Parliament seem to have been crafted without foresight, stuck in the past, and unwilling to learn from historical examples like the U.S. partnership with the South Pacific.
If Europe does not wake up to the realities of the 21st century, it will find itself increasingly irrelevant in North Africa, while China, Russia, and other emerging powers continue to build bridges that Europe should have constructed long ago.