Finland’s new embassy in Senegal and Czech instructors training Mauritanian forces signal a rising push by smaller European nations to expand their influence in Africa. Estonia, Romania and Malta have stepped up diplomatic and trade engagement over the past five years as interest in the continent intensifies.
Analysts say Europe is refreshing its Africa strategy while competing with China, the United States and Russia for political leverage and access to vital resources. EU leaders portray the bloc as Africa’s leading partner and plan to reinforce that message at a summit with the African Union in Angola next week.
Yet Europe’s position has been weakened by mistrust rooted in colonial history, allowing China to secure mining deals and Russia to grow as a preferred security ally. Countries such as Burkina Faso, Niger and Mali have severed ties with France and turned to Moscow after successive military coups deepened instability.
These shifts have triggered strategic recalculations across the EU as governments seek new entry points into African politics and markets. Diplomats say nations without an imperial past often present themselves as equals, drawing on their own histories of occupation or transition.
Estonia highlights its post-Soviet transformation to offer what it calls practical and modern policy advice to African partners. Finland also points to its long struggle for independence to build trust, helping it expand political and commercial ties beyond traditional development aid.
After a 2021 policy review, Helsinki opened an embassy in Senegal and is targeting a doubling of trade with Africa by 2030. Estonia exports its digital expertise from Namibia to Uganda, while Hungary has opened a humanitarian and diplomatic outpost in Chad with plans for a training mission.
These initiatives pursue security, migration and commercial goals but also broaden Europe’s overall offer at a time of intense geopolitical competition. Experts say early difficulties remain, as several countries operate with limited resources and minimal institutional presence on the continent.
Trade data shows steady progress, with Estonia nearly doubling exchanges since 2019 and Hungary reporting a 35 percent rise. Finland, Denmark and the Czech Republic have also recorded notable gains, though still below the EU’s overall 25 percent increase. Officials argue the momentum is real, insisting Europe’s smaller states are carving out a distinct and increasingly confident role in Africa.