Long on the sidelines of investments in Africa, Germany's business community no longer intends to sit back and watch nationals of other countries in the world deal with Africa as if it were their private preserve. And Chancellor Olaf Scholz wants to encourage his compatriots to now do business with Africa. Explanations.
For both historical and geopolitical reasons, Germany has long neglected business with African countries to focus only on development cooperation and humanitarian assistance. But Berlin, whose policy in this area was rather geared towards neighboring countries in Eastern Europe and those in Asia, has finally understood that it must catch up or catch up with other countries on the African continent.
In Germany, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz, the time has come to leave the field open to other countries in Africa. Germany must take the full place that its long-appreciated commitment alongside Africans requires. It’s time for Business, so to speak.
The multiple trips made by German officials to Africa in recent months speak volumes about this desire. Berlin wants to change the situation and the German authorities are providing the necessary means to this end. There was the visit of the Minister of the Economy, Robert Habeck, successively to Namibia and South Africa at the end of 2022, but also that of the Minister of Finance, Christian Lindner, to Mali and Ghana in 2023. And Chancellor Olaf Scholz himself visited Kenya and Ethiopia. Then he continued after a few months with his trip to Nigeria, the giant of Africa.
At the level of the Chancellery in Germany, things are now very clear. There is no question of letting China and the United States rule the new vision of the world. Europe must also mark its presence. And in this context, there is no reason why Berlin cannot find its place. “The idea is for the G20 to work closely with reform-minded African partners to improve economic conditions in these countries and encourage more private investment.”
According to Chancellor Olaf Scholz, “The growth potential in Africa is enormous. The continent is simply essential in resolving global issues. We want, we must more than ever, to make it a partner for the sustainable economy of tomorrow.”
The war in Ukraine and the upheaval in the geopolitical situation that it caused made Germany definitively understand that it had to diversify its sources of energy supply. While also diversifying its investments. In order to promote the Energy Transition through renewable energies, it has decided to turn to Africa. In particular by providing new funds of nearly 4 billion euros for the production of renewable energies. Not without insisting on this: “let's be clear: this is not about development aid, according to an outdated donor-beneficiary scheme. These are investments that are profitable for both parties.” Furthermore, the German Chancellor said he was convinced that there are great possibilities for expanding cooperation between German and African companies. And Rainer Thiele, Professor of International Development in Kiel, at Tagesschau declared: “I think the German government takes Africa seriously”
By Daniel Yaoni
