President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen says the European Union is aiming at championing “partnership, openness, and fair competition” as the key messages that will shape engagements at the 7th EU-African Union summit slated for Monday 24, to Tuesday, 25 November, in Luanda, Angola.

The seventh EU-AU summit, with the theme "Promoting peace and prosperity through effective multilateralism", will bring together leaders of the member states of the European Union (EU) and the African Union (AU) in Luanda, Angola.

President of Angola, João Lourenço and António Costa, the president of the European Council, will co-chair the summit, which will commemorate 25 years of EU-AU cooperation as well as 50 years of independence for Angola and several other African nations.

Speaking at a news conference organised on the margins of the Historic G20 summit hosted for the very first time by an African country – South Africa – Ursula von der Leyen stated the “European Union wants to be Africa's partner of choice”, adding that it was important for the African continent to build stronger ties with Europe.

The European Diplomat argues that this partnership is vital for reversing some of the global imbalances which confront Africa – a continent with 60% of the world's best solar potential and hence at the core of the European Union's global gateway initiative. of the whole 300 billion euros, 25% will go into energy investment, especially in the global south.

Ghana’s Vice President, Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, will represent President John Dramani Mahama as African leaders converge in Luanda for the Summit.

She is expected to deliver Ghana’s national statement on behalf of the President, emphasising the country’s commitment to equitable Africa–Europe partnerships grounded in mutual respect, shared prosperity and strategic cooperation.

Her address will also highlight Ghana’s call for a more inclusive and representative global governance system. Prof. Opoku-Agyemang will speak to an audience of Heads of State, AU and EU leaders, and key international stakeholders.

She will outline Ghana’s priorities in economic stability, job creation, food security, climate action, peace and security, and value-chain transformation, with particular focus on agriculture and cocoa.

The Vice President will also highlight Ghana’s ongoing economic recovery and structural reforms, including the government’s flagship 24-Hour Economy, the push for local value addition in cocoa, infrastructure expansion under the Big Push Initiative, enhanced agricultural financing, and the economic empowerment of women through the forthcoming Women’s Development Bank.

On the Issue of Trade, the European Union says It doubling down on the core belief that rules-based trade delivers opportunities of shared prosperity.

In view of this, the Summit presents an opportunity for Africa, which is rolling out its single market regime under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), to plug into some partnerships with the pre-existing largest free trade agreements under the EU.

“And just yesterday, we, the European Union, and South Africa concluded a clean trade and investment partnership. We are a partner that plays by the rules. That's important for us. We listen to our partners. And above all, we deliver mutual gains in trade and investment, which in turn deliver good jobs. We believe in the mutual gain in trade and investment. We will continue advocating for a strong, reformed, and relevant World Trade Organisation,” Ursula von der Leyen noted at the G20 press briefing heralding the EU-AU Summit in Angola.