Spain is taking a markedly different approach to African migration and broader engagement with the continent, contrasting sharply with the policies of many Western nations. While countries such as the US, UK, France, and Germany have been cutting back development aid, Spain remains committed to expanding its support, hosting initiatives like the African Union-backed AfroMadrid2025 conference to discuss restorative justice and a new development fund. The Spanish government, led by Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, is pursuing a comprehensive Spain-Africa strategy that encompasses diplomacy, development, business, education, and culture, while placing strong emphasis on migration management through creative, cooperative solutions.
In migration policy, Spain acknowledges the complex economic and social realities driving irregular migration from West Africa and seeks to move beyond restrictive messaging common in other European capitals. The government promotes safe, orderly, and mutually beneficial migration, funding training schemes for unemployed youth in countries like Senegal and expanding “circular migration” programs that allow West Africans to work in Spain temporarily before returning home. This approach highlights migrants’ economic contributions to Spain and integrates practical, humanitarian, and diplomatic considerations into policy design.
The Sanchez administration has also strengthened Spain’s diplomatic and developmental footprint across Africa, establishing new embassies, advisory councils, and partnerships in business and education. Spain’s foreign ministry emphasizes the continent’s importance to Europe’s geopolitical space and Spain’s self-interest in supporting Africa’s inclusive and sustainable development, peace, and security. This strategy includes economic investment in infrastructure, energy transition, and digitalization, as well as cultural promotion, academic mobility, and youth employment. Security cooperation, climate action, women’s empowerment, and support for regional organizations like the African Union and ECOWAS are additional pillars of Spain’s Africa engagement.
Domestically, Spain balances its progressive Africa-focused policies with political pressures, including the rise of the radical right and incidents of racial violence. The government differentiates itself from other European nations by openly promoting the protection of the African diaspora, combating racism and xenophobia, and integrating development and migration policy into a broader social, cultural, and humanitarian agenda. Analysts note that Spain’s approach represents a fundamental broadening of its foreign policy outlook, reflecting both ethical and strategic priorities that stand out in the current international climate.
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