The Danish Government strengthens Danish engagement with African countries

As part of the new strategy for Denmark’s engagement with African countries, Denmark is opening embassies in Senegal, Tunisia, and Rwanda. The Danish Government has also laid plans to bolster diplomatic staff and resources at the embassies in Egypt, Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria and Ghana. As a result of military coups that have severely limited the scope for action in the Sahel region, the embassies in Burkina Faso and Mali will be closed.

Africa’s geopolitical relevance and importance in international politics has never been greater; their populations, economies, and assertiveness are growing. In 2050, one in every four people in the world will live in Africa. One in every three of the world’s youth will be African. Given these developments, the EU must further its efforts to be the preferred partner of the African countries and ensure that it is able to deliver what is needed.

“One of this century’s most important foreign policy questions is whether Africa will orient itself more towards the East or the West. We have a clear interest in the African countries looking towards us in Europe as they chart the course for their future. We must demonstrate that we offer an attractive alternative to the increasing Chinese and Russian influence on the continent. We will do this through increased investment in Africa and increased trade with African businesses, by cultivating mutual understanding, and by working to ensure that more Africans can come to study in Denmark,” says Minister for Foreign Affairs Lars Løkke Rasmussen.

Denmark’s 60 years of development cooperation with the African countries provides a solid foundation to build on. Increasing Denmark’s trade with and investment in African countries is a core element of the strategy.

As part of efforts to implement the strategy, Denmark will strengthen the Investment Fund for Developing Countries (IFU) and the Export and Investment Fund of Denmark (EIFO), enabling these funds to provide even more support for Danish companies and investments in African countries, while contributing to significant economic growth in these countries.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark will also reduce its hourly rate for advising Danish companies in Africa.

“Over the past two years, I have travelled to 12 different African countries and spoken with African partners. They would like even stronger ties with Denmark. Closer political dialogue, more trade, increased investment. They often focus on the green sectors. For example, Denmark is a leader in water technology; Danish expertise in this field is in high demand among our African partner countries, and we would like bring it into play even more.

“Therefore, water is one of the sectors where we are ramping up our engagement, including in our partnerships with public authorities and efforts for increased trade,” says Dan Jørgensen. 

As part of the strategy, the Government is also increasing support for climate adaptation in African countries. The consequences of global warming – including increased drought and flooding – are already having a severe impact on many countries.

These climate impacts are putting increased pressure on water resources in many parts of Africa. Over the coming years, Denmark plans to give more than DKK 1 billion in development assistance to new bilateral water initiatives in Africa. In 2025 alone, an expected DKK 425 million in new bilateral water efforts will be launched in Africa. The Government is also following up on the strategy with initiatives in a range of other areas, including migration, security challenges, and cultural exchange.

See the list of initiatives in the fact sheet and read the full text of the strategy here:  https://um.dk/en/foreign-policy/africas-century

About changes to Denmark’s presence in Africa

Denmark will be opening embassies in Tunisia and Senegal, while the existing project office in Rwanda will be upgraded to an embassy. All three of these countries have a strong voice in their region and welcome international cooperation.

Tunisia is an important partner for Denmark in North Africa in respect to many agendas, and holds the potential for expanded partnership in areas such as climate and the green transition. In 2023, Tunisia was the primary country of departure for irregular migrants towards the EU on the central Mediterranean route.

Senegal is a leading country in West Africa and has a long democratic tradition in a geographical context shaped by military coups.

As a consequence of the severely limited scope for action in the Sahel region following a series of military coups in recent years, the embassies in Mali and Burkina Faso will be closed. 

The four existing embassies in South Africa, Kenya, Egypt and Nigeria will be upgraded to regional hubs, with greater coverage of developments in their respective regions.

Raising the status of an embassy to a regional hub entails strengthened cooperation with the countries for which the embassy is side-accredited. The new regional hubs are situated in countries that are leading nations in their respective geographic regions.

In addition to the regional hubs, measures will also be taken to strengthen the embassy in Ghana.

By 2026, Denmark will have 10 more posted diplomats on the African continent than today.

A Special Representative for the African Great Lakes and Sahel Region will be appointed to support continued Danish engagement in Sahel and strengthen Denmark’s efforts in the African Great Lakes region – which, among other things, is important in relation to Denmark’s membership of the UN Security Council. 

Efforts will also be launched to explore opportunities for increased Danish presence in countries where Denmark does not have an established presence. For example, Denmark will explore the potential for posting Danish diplomats for shorter or longer periods at EU delegations.

For press enquiries, contact pressevagten@um.dk.