Dr. Karoline Eickhoff

• Karoline Eickhoff

Crisis of Debt or Crisis of Confidence? Kenya’s Contested Fiscal Outlook

Kenya is facing not only a debt crisis, but a deeper crisis of public trust. In this policy brief, Karoline Eickhoff contrasts official narratives that blame external shocks with public concerns over corruption and mismanagement, and outlines implications for international actors.

doi:10.18449/2025MTA-PB41

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• Karoline Eickhoff
• Ueli Staeger

Coming to Terms with the Past? Reparations as a Test for Africa-Europe Relations

The African Union has chosen “Reparations” as its theme for 2025. Although the colonial past is a sensitive issue in Africa-Europe relations, this could also be an opportunity for both sides to address historical blind spots, argue Karoline Eickhoff and Ueli Staeger in this spotlight.

• Karoline Eickhoff
• Paul Bochtler
• Hesbon Hansen Owilla

Communicating Strategically about What? Europe and China in the Kenyan Media

European actors are increasingly relying on strategic communication tools in their external relations, especially in key partner countries like Kenya. Based on a large-scale media screening and interviews with media experts, this paper examines which issues related to the EU/Europe and China have received the most media coverage in Kenya over the past decade (2013–2023). The paper finds, among other things, that European actors involved in communication efforts increasingly need to communicate about the EU’s role in global affairs and the impact of European decisions, products, and standards on African markets, without resorting to a “West versus China” framing.

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-PB27

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• Karoline Eickhoff

Ahead of the FOCAC 2024: How to Deal with China in Africa?

• German

In the run-up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 2024, many eyes are on China's growing influence in Africa. “What is the European dilemma in dealing with China in Africa?” asks Karoline Eickhoff in this Spotlight, which offers suggestions for dealing with competitive dynamics.

• Karoline Eickhoff
• Denis M. Tull

Where are Europe and Africa headed? Looking out to 2030

• German

Europe is about to elect a new parliament. Relations with Africa barely played a role in the election campaigns, even though they are crucial for making progress in important policy areas such as climate change and the shortage of skilled labour in Europe. Our strategic foresight process highlights trends that will shape relations between the two continents in the near future. In this Megatrends Afrika Spotlight, Karoline Eickhoff and Denis M. Tull report on where the journey is headed.

• Karoline Eickhoff
• Denis M. Tull

Mapping the Future of Europe-Africa Relations

Exploring Europe-Africa relations for 2030, the Megatrends Afrika project analyzes emerging trends, including political instability in Europe and African contestation of Eurocentric policies. This strategic examination highlights underappreciated dynamics in politics, social issues, and beyond, offering policymakers insights into potential future developments.

doi:10.18449/2024MTA-WP13

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