Relations between Europe and Africa are defined by deep historical ties rooted in colonialism, geographic proximity, and a shared drive toward sustainable development and security. Today, both continents cooperate through frameworks like the Africa-EU Partnership and the Joint Africa-EU Strategy, focusing on economic growth, infrastructure investment, and peacebuilding. The EU remains Africaâs largest trading partner, supporting initiatives such as the Global Gateway and the African Continental Free Trade Area to boost trade and connectivity. Cooperation also extends to addressing common security threats like terrorism, piracy, and cybercrime, as well as managing migration through legal pathways and tackling its root causes. However, the relationship continues to evolve amid global competition from powers like China and Russia, with both sides seeking to move beyond historical asymmetries and build a more balanced, mutually beneficial partnership based on equality, policy alignment, and shared goals for 2030.
Why No Bridge Interconnects Europe and Africa
The notion of a bridge spanning Europe and Africa across the Strait of Gibraltar has intrigued engineers, politicians, and fantasists for generations. On paper, it can work â at its narrowest, the two continents are just 14.4 km (9 miles) apart. But even though the distance is relatively close, there is no bridge, and probably never will be. Here’s why.
1. Geography of the Strait
The Strait of Gibraltar divides Spain (Europe) and Morocco (Africa).
Although its width is relatively small, the actual issue is below the surface:
⢠The narrowest (14.4 km) and deepest point, dropping about 1,000 meters (3,280 feet).
⢠The shallowest areasâabout 280 meters deepâare further to the west, where the Strait is relatively wider.
For comparison:
⢠The Ăresund Bridge (CopenhagenâMalmĂś) only covers 7 km with water depths of about 10â15 m.
⢠Even the Hong KongâZhuhaiâMacau Bridge, at 55 km long and one of the world’s longest, only has to contend with depths of around 45 m.
In short, the Strait’s sheer depth and irregular seabed means that constructing bridge foundations is effectively impossible with available technology.
âď¸ 2. Engineering and Geological Issues
Depth and Seismic Activity
â˘\tThe Strait lies on the edge of the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, a seismically unstable region (such as the 1755 Lisbon earthquake).
â˘\tThe soft sediments and clays make up the unstable seabed, which may change over time.
â˘\tConstruction of bridge pylons there would be both technically impossible and dangerous.
Currents and Water Flow
â˘\tThe Strait represents the sole natural exit from the Mediterranean Sea to the Atlantic Ocean.
⢠Tremendous water exchange takes place: warm surface water enters the Mediterranean, and cold, salty deep water exits towards the Atlantic.
⢠These opposite, overlapping currents are strong enough to propel submarines â WWII subs notoriously used them to travel unseen.
⢠If any bridge foundation were to have to endure such tremendous forces coming from multiple directions, it would be an almost impossible feat of engineering.
Winds and Climate
â˘The Strait is a wind funnel between two mountain ridges, creating powerful gusts of over 90 km/h (56 mph).
â˘\tAbove the water, these winds would pose a threat to the stability of high bridge structures and render construction unsafe.
3. Maritime and Environmental Issues
â˘The Strait of Gibraltar is the busiest sea route in the world, with more than 100,000 vessels sailing through it each year.
â˘\tArtificial islands or bridge piers may impede shipping and disrupt the global economy.
â˘\tDrilling will also harm the oceanic ecosystem, eroding sediment, releasing toxins, and impacting dolphins, whales, and other sea creatures.
4. Political and Economic Hurdles
Even assuming that engineering obstacles might be overcome, the expense would be prohibitive â many times more than $100 billion USD.
Aside from financing, political cooperation between Spain, Morocco, the EU, and possibly the UK (which owns Gibraltar) would be required.
Moreover:
â˘\tMost European countries are apprehensive that such a bridge would make it easy for illegal immigrants, posing political opposition.
â˘\tWith limited economic gain, there is little motive for either party to spend money on such a gigantic undertaking.
5. Tunnel as a Possible Alternative
A tunnel â like the Channel Tunnel connecting the UK and France â has been taken very seriously.
â˘\tThe initial feasibility studies by Spain and Morocco commenced in the 1970s and are ongoing today.
â˘\tThe projected design is a 40 km (25 mi) rail tunnel, linking Punta Paloma (Spain) and Punta Malabata (Morocco).
But it would have to go through more than 300â400 meters of rock, significantly deeper than the Channel Tunnel’s 100 m depth â an gargantuan engineering feat.
As of 2025, the Gibraltar Tunnel is still in the study phase, with no definitive construction plans.
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