“Regional integration in Africa and the EU nexus”- AUTh University, Monday, 12 May 2025

On 12 May 2025, Professor Giovanni Finizio gave a lecture embedded in the “EU-Africa relations” course of the embedded of the ESIS Double Degree Master’s Program at the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.

This lecture explored the various EU-Africa cooperation instruments such as the Cotonou Agreement and the Comprehensive Strategy with Africa (2020 onward), focusing on migration, trade, security, and sustainability. It also examined the African regional integration architecture – ECOWAS, EAC, SADC, COMESA, etc.—as the “building blocks” toward continental economic and political cohesion. According to the speaker, African regional frameworks often mirror EU models—customs unions, dispute resolution, institutional design—shaped by European aid, technical advice, and normative influence. He criticized the way cooperation between the two continents was carried out in the last decades and suggested the need for thoughtful dialogue on how regional integration can promote peace, sustainable development, and economic growth across Africa, while illustrating the EU’s evolving role from normative mentor to strategic equal partner.

An enriching exchange of ideas, thoughtful presentations, and meaningful dialogue on the past, present, and future of Regional integration in Africa and the EU ensued.

Giovanni Finizio is Associate Professor of International History at the University of Turin, where he teaches European Union Foreign Policy and History of International Organizations. He also serves as Director of “Region Europe”, the international program of the University of Turin on Europe and its role in the world and is adjunct Professor of Comparative Regionalism and Models of Global Governance at the Universidad Nacional de Tres de Febrero, Buenos Aires, Argentina. His research interests focus on EU Foreign Policy, in particular regarding interregional relations, regionalism promotion and the role of the European Parliament as a foreign policy actor; on comparative regionalism, with emphasis to Africa; on international organizations, with particular reference to the United Nations and international democracy.