On July 3, 2026, the Lomé Convention Center hosted the extraordinary ministerial conference of the African Political Alliance (APA). Organized under the patronage of H.E. Faure Essozimna GNASSINGBE, President of the Council, this high-level meeting addressed a crucial and highly topical issue: “Africa and the Crisis in the Middle East: Impacts, Challenges, and Strategic Responses.”
This initiative, spearheaded by Togo, brought together representatives from African nations, Middle Eastern countries, international partners, and regional organizations. The goal was clear: to dispel the image of a diplomacy out of touch with reality and to build a genuine strategic shield for the African continent against external shocks.
A context of interdependence and shared vulnerabilities
The proliferation of global geopolitical crises does not stop at the borders of continents. Recent disruptions to maritime shipping routes, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, have clearly demonstrated the vulnerability of international markets and the extreme interdependence of our economies. Despite the recent signing of a memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran on June 17, 2026, the hesitation observed during the initial technical negotiations in Switzerland, the latest strikes in Lebanon, and the persistence of hybrid threats (cyberdisinformation) continue to fuel deep concern.
For Africa, the impacts of instability in the Middle East are direct, tangible, and affect people’s daily lives:
- Volatility in oil and gas prices, which is putting a strain on national budgets;
- Rising shipping costs and worsening inflation;
- Rising prices of food and agricultural inputs (fertilizers), threatening food security.
According to a joint report by the African Union, the African Development Bank, the UNDP, and the ECA, the continuation of this crisis could severely slow Africa’s economic growth. In the face of these structural challenges, the Lomé Conference aims to turn these vulnerabilities into opportunities for strategic repositioning.
Two segments for a rigorous approach
To maximize the scope of the discussions, the conference proceedings were organized around two major, complementary themes:
1. The Africa Segment, which brought together African states and institutions, focused on the theme “The Economic and Security Impacts of the Crisis in the Middle East on Africa: Realities, Challenges, and Prospects.” It enables ministers to assess risks to the continent’s interests and identify responses that can strengthen economic, security, and diplomatic resilience.
2. The Africa–Middle East Segment, for its part, brought together African ministers, Middle Eastern countries, and partners. This segment, dedicated to the “Africa-Middle East Dialogue on the Crisis in the Middle East, ” facilitated the sharing of mutual analyses, the exploration of avenues for de-escalation, the restoration of trust, and Africa’s active contribution to regional and global stability.
The African Political Alliance (APA): The Driving Force Behind a Sovereign Africa
Supported by the Togolese Republic since May 2023, the African Political Alliance (APA) is increasingly establishing itself as an essential framework for strategic dialogue and political consultation. In an international order undergoing profound change, the APA provides African nations with the tools they need to promote a sovereign, united, and influential Africa—one capable of defending its own interests rather than simply being subject to the decisions of the major powers.
Ambitious goals for the continent’s future
The conclusions reached by the foreign ministers and experts gathered in Lomé led to highly strategic outcomes:
- A shared and in-depth understanding of the geopolitical implications of the crisis for the continent;
- A clear definition of priorities for action, risks, and economic opportunities;
- Formulating sound strategic guidelines to strengthen our energy and food sovereignty;
- The emergence of strong consensus in favor of peace, de-escalation, and multilateralism.
Through the success of this extraordinary conference, Lomé reaffirms its status as a diplomatic hub par excellence and demonstrates that political dialogue remains the most effective shield for protecting the development and stability of African countries.
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