The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has presented the Spain-Africa Foundation, one of the most emblematic projects included among the 100 measures in the Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028. Its aim is to promote cooperation between Spain and Africa in the political, economic, social, scientific and cultural spheres, as well as to foster greater mutual understanding between the two shores.
During his speech, the minister stressed that the Foundation "was born out of the conviction that Spain and Africa share a common destiny and a shared responsibility in building a more just, sustainable and humane future".
Strengthening ties
The future Spain-Africa Foundation will be an instrument of public diplomacy and social partnership, which will contribute to projecting Spain's voice and presence in Africa and to strengthening human, institutional and cultural ties between our societies through a work plan that will include exchange programmes for experts in different sectors, scholarships and seminars and dialogue forums.
Among its lines of action, the Foundation will pay special attention to the Afro-diaspora and Afro-descendant communities, both in Spain and Latin America. In this way, their role as a human and cultural bridge between continents and their importance as essential actors in the construction of the Euro-African space is recognised.
Meeting place
The Spain-Africa Foundation will be established as a private foundation with public participation, conceived as a meeting place for institutions, businesses, universities, and civil society.
Its Board of Trustees will be composed of the companies GB Foods and AEE Power, the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation and Casa África.
Maman Sidikou, former Foreign Minister of Niger, and Suzi Barbosa, former Foreign Minister of Guinea-Bissau, will also join the Board of Trustees. Their participation reflects the African and true partnership vocation of the new institution.
Albares stated that the Foundation "will be an open, diverse, and inclusive institution, designed to welcome all companies, universities, and organisations that wish to participate in building a stronger and more lasting relationship between Spain and Africa".
At the service of the Spain-Africa Strategy
The creation of the Spain-Africa Foundation responds to the Government's desire to consolidate the strategic link with Africa, reinforcing the values of dialogue, cooperation and mutual respect that inspire the Spain-Africa Strategy 2025-2028.
The Strategy, which will guide Spanish foreign policy toward Africa over the coming years, proposes 100 lines of action grouped into five strategic objectives: strengthening a relationship that facilitates joint action; growing towards sustainable African development, focused on young people; connecting societies and economies in Africa, Spain and the world; protecting, guaranteeing the security of populations; and living together in open societies with strong and inclusive institutions.
Non official translation
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares