NATO and Africa: Between Security Partnerships and Geopolitical Competition

NATO’s engagement in Africa has undergone a marked evolution since the mid-2000s, characterized by growing operational partnerships and increasing entanglement in the global competition for influence between Western powers, China, and Russia.

Operational Support and Regional Partnerships

NATO's formal relationship with Africa began in 2005 when it provided airlift and logistical support to African Union peacekeeping missions, most notably AMISOM in Somalia. Over the years, this support has grown more structured, culminating in a 2019 cooperation agreement with the African Union, which prioritized counterterrorism, crisis response, and military interoperability.

Key programs under this framework include:

• Defense and Security Capacity Building (DCB): Offers training and institutional reform guidance to improve local military and governance capacity.

• Mediterranean Dialogue and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative: These platforms foster collaboration with North African states like Morocco and Algeria, particularly in areas of counterterrorism and border security.

These initiatives reflect NATO’s strategic interest in preventing the spread of extremism from North Africa and the Sahel into Europe, as well as protecting maritime routes and energy infrastructure.

Geopolitical Undercurrents

Beyond security partnerships, NATO’s Africa policy is increasingly influenced by U.S.-led efforts to contain Chinese and Russian influence on the continent. With the U.S. Africa Command (AFRICOM) operating in tandem, NATO indirectly supports Western efforts to secure access to critical resources, such as rare earths and hydrocarbons, and maintain influence over strategic zones.

However, this has drawn criticism from African leaders, civil society groups, and international observers, who argue that such involvement risks reintroducing neocolonial dynamics under the guise of security cooperation.

Key flashpoints include:

• The 2011 NATO-led intervention in Libya, which, while removing Muammar Gaddafi, triggered years of instability that spilled over into the Sahel and West Africa.

• Covert operations and drone strikes in Somalia under AFRICOM’s banner, which have led to civilian casualties and growing local backlash.

• Allegations of U.S.-trained officers playing roles in recent coups in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, raising concerns about the unintended consequences of military partnerships.

Persistent Challenges

Despite years of cooperation, NATO faces several barriers to deeper engagement in Africa:

1. Perception Problem: Many African governments and publics view NATO as a proxy for U.S. and European interests rather than a neutral partner, limiting trust and legitimacy.

2. Local Capacity Limitations: While NATO offers training and resources, the African Union and many of its member states lack the institutional strength to effectively absorb and implement external assistance.

3. The Security Paradox in the Sahel: Counterterrorism operations have, paradoxically, regionalized jihadist threats rather than eradicating them. Groups like ISIS in the Greater Sahara and Jama'at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM) continue to adapt and expand.

Strategic Goals and the Way Forward

NATO officially frames its Africa strategy around the principle of "projecting stability"—supporting local actors to manage crises, prevent conflicts, and build resilient institutions. However, this goal is increasingly at odds with the geopolitical realities on the ground.

The conflation of local security priorities (such as insurgencies and intercommunal violence) with broader NATO aims (countering China and Russia) risks alienating partners and undermining long-term effectiveness.

For NATO to remain a credible partner in Africa, analysts suggest the alliance must:

• Recenter African agency, allowing regional actors to shape priorities and lead initiatives.

• Enhance transparency and accountability in joint operations to rebuild trust.

• Deconflict counterterrorism efforts from great-power competition to avoid exacerbating instability.

Conclusion:
NATO’s growing footprint in Africa reflects both a commitment to regional security and a broader strategic pivot in a rapidly multipolar world. Yet unless the alliance can reconcile its geopolitical objectives with the continent’s sovereignty and development goals, its influence may prove as fragile as the partnerships it seeks to forge.

Photo: NATO