Berlin – “The Foreign Minister’s third trip to Africa in just seven months sends an important and welcome signal. Political engagement alone, however, is not enough. What matters is whether it translates into investment, contracts and jobs,” said Claudia Voss, CEO of the German-African Business Association.

“German companies are ready to make long-term investments, build local value chains and create employment. To do so, they need competitive financing and a foreign trade and investment policy that supports major projects consistently through to implementation. Political engagement builds trust; concrete projects create opportunities for Germany and its African partners,” Voss added.

Mauritania is becoming an increasingly important strategic partner for Germany, thanks to its natural resources and excellent conditions for wind and solar power. An IRENA analysis illustrates the scale: using just one per cent of the suitable land area could provide solar capacity equivalent to almost four times Germany’s total installed photovoltaic capacity. The corresponding wind capacity would amount to around two-thirds of Germany’s onshore wind capacity. The growing interest among German businesses was already evident earlier this year, when Ghorfa and the German-African Business Association jointly led a delegation of more than 20 companies to Mauritania.

With a population of around 238 million, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country and a key future market for Germany. At the same time, fewer than 63 per cent of Nigerians have access to electricity. The Presidential Power Initiative demonstrates the impact that flagship German-Nigerian projects can have. Turning such initiatives into viable investments requires reliable financing, effective risk mitigation and strong political backing.

South Africa remains the leading production and investment hub for German companies in Africa. Around 600 German businesses employ more than 100,000 people directly and support roughly the same number of indirect jobs. Long-standing investments, particularly in the automotive sector, reflect the depth of industrial ties between the two countries. The German government should provide stronger support for this engagement, better coordinate its support instruments and back German companies more consistently in international competition.

Background: Foreign Minister Dr Johann Wadephul will travel to Mauritania, Nigeria and South Africa on Monday. He will once again be accompanied by a business delegation that includes member companies of the German-African Business Association and its President, Sabine Dall’Omo.

Press contact: 
Martin Rambach
rambach@afrikaverein.de
+49 170 3711310