The global outbreak of Covid-19 has led to unprecedented changes in people's lives, including business. Higher education serves as a key tool for the preparation of prospective traders and investors in both the European Union and the African Union. The purpose of the present contribution is to analyse the system of the external and internal perspectives for the implementation of cooperation between the European Union and the African Union in higher education underpinning the creation of the model of the process and phases of building a partnership of equals. The research is of a qualitative nature. The empirical study was carried out on 9 November 2020. The data were collected via a focus group interview in the online panel discussion 'Support Business in Africa during Covid times: The Influence of the Corona Crisis'. Seven participants took part in the discussion. The conclusion is that the model for the process of building the partnership of equals is valid. The implications for building the EU-AU partnership of equals are formulated. The limitations of the research are indicated. Directions for further research are proposed.