Spain Charts Its Own Course on Africa and Migration as Western Allies Retreat
At a time when many Western nations are scaling back their development aid to Africa, Spain is moving in the opposite direction — deepening its engagement with the continent through diplomacy, education, and sustainable development.
While the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany have trimmed aid budgets and tightened migration policies, Madrid’s socialist-led government continues to expand its African partnerships, driven by both strategic necessity and shared prosperity.
This week, the Spanish capital is hosting the AfroMadrid2025 Conference, a landmark African Union-backed event focused on restorative justice and the creation of a new development fund. The gathering highlights Spain’s growing commitment to fostering inclusive cooperation between Europe and Africa.
Spain’s Renewed Focus on Africa
Spain’s approach reflects a deliberate shift in tone, strategy, and mindset. In July, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares launched an advisory council of intellectuals, diplomats, and cultural figures — more than half of them African — to oversee implementation of the country’s new Spain-Africa Strategy, unveiled late last year.
The plan includes opening new embassies across sub-Saharan Africa, expanding business and educational exchanges, and boosting development assistance.
This strategy contrasts sharply with the defensive posture of other Western capitals, which often frame Africa through the lens of migration control. For Spain, the continent is not a problem to be managed but a partner in progress — economically, socially, and culturally.
Balancing Migration and Opportunity
Despite its inclusive tone, the Spanish government faces domestic challenges similar to those seen across Europe. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez must address public anxiety over irregular migration while fending off pressure from the far-right Vox Party, which has made immigration a central political issue.
Tensions came to a head in July when racist mobs attacked African workers in Torre Pacheco, Murcia — a region known for its booming agriculture sector, where many migrants from Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa are employed.
While the opposition People’s Party supports selective immigration with a preference for Latin Americans, Vox has called for an outright crackdown on African migrants, accusing them of taking low-skilled jobs in farming and logistics.
Still, for the Sánchez administration, migration is not just a political challenge — it is also a human and economic reality that must be managed responsibly.
The Dangerous Journey to Spain
Spain’s location, just a few kilometers from North Africa, makes it a major entry point for migrants heading to Europe. In 2024 alone, more than 45,000 people made the perilous journey across the Atlantic from West Africa to the Canary Islands, often aboard overcrowded wooden boats.
Tragically, estimates of those who died attempting the voyage range between 1,400 and 10,000. Others cross via the Mediterranean or attempt to scale the fortified borders of Ceuta and Melilla, Spain’s two enclaves on the North African coast.
Spanish authorities must provide shelter, process asylum claims, and coordinate integration efforts — all while balancing domestic pressure and international law.
A Humane Approach to Migration
Unlike many European leaders who emphasize deterrence, Sánchez has opted for pragmatic compassion. His government acknowledges the deep economic challenges pushing West Africans to migrate — poverty, unemployment, and climate-driven hardship.
Instead of closing borders outright, Spain is working to create legal, safe, and mutually beneficial migration pathways.
During a visit to Mauritania last year, Sánchez praised the economic contributions of African migrants, saying:
“For us, migration is not just about moral principles or solidarity — it’s also about rationality. Migrants strengthen our economy and enrich our society.”
Spain funds training programs in Senegal and other West African countries for unemployed youth and returnees, helping them develop new livelihoods at home. It has also expanded its “circular migration” program, offering seasonal work visas for agricultural laborers who return home after harvest.
Deepening Regional Partnerships
These initiatives are part of a broader effort to redefine Europe-Africa relations. In 2021, Spain signed its first circular migration agreement with Senegal, followed by similar deals with Mauritania and The Gambia in 2023.
Madrid’s long-term goal is clear: to shift migration management from crisis response to structured cooperation, reducing human suffering and strengthening development ties.
Spain’s Africa Strategy articulates the vision clearly — Europe and Africa “form part of the same geopolitical space.”
Beyond Migration: Investing in Africa’s Future
While migration remains a focal point, Spain’s renewed African engagement extends far beyond border control. Madrid sees Africa’s progress as vital to its own security and prosperity.
This includes initiatives in infrastructure, energy transition, digital innovation, and education. The Cervantes Institute is expanding its presence in Africa, promoting Spanish language and culture, while new programs encourage academic mobility and research exchange.
Spain also emphasizes cooperation on climate resilience, women’s empowerment, and youth employment — sectors it considers essential for long-term stability.
Security collaboration, particularly across the Sahel, is another key pillar. Spain supports regional organizations like ECOWAS and the African Union, both of which are grappling with the challenge of maintaining democracy amid a wave of military coups.
A Shift in Historical Perspective
For much of its modern history, Spain’s foreign policy was shaped more by Latin America than by Africa. While France and Britain expanded deep into the continent, Spain’s colonial legacy was limited — confined largely to Equatorial Guinea and a few North African enclaves.
That changed under Sánchez’s government, which has broadened Spain’s global outlook. In 2024, the foreign ministry’s development cooperation plan identified West Africa and the Sahel as priority regions for aid — marking a significant policy transformation.
Confronting Racism and Building Solidarity
Domestically, Spain’s Africa policy also seeks to combat racism and xenophobia. The foreign ministry has made it clear that supporting the African diaspora within Spain is central to its strategy.
“Supporting the African diaspora and fighting racism are key priorities,” the ministry said in a statement — signaling a moral and cultural commitment to inclusivity that sets Spain apart in Europe’s often divisive migration debate.
A Model for Constructive Engagement
Spain’s approach may still face political resistance at home, but it represents a rare example of principled pragmatism in global affairs — one that combines compassion with strategic foresight.
By investing in Africa’s future, Spain is not only addressing migration at its root but also redefining Europe’s relationship with its southern neighbor. In an era of growing isolationism, Madrid stands out as a bridge — not a barrier — between continents.