Migration, energy, climate change: Central issues of this time are also playing an increasingly important role in African-German relations. Further steps are now to be agreed at a top meeting.
The fact that the African continent is becoming increasingly important to Germany can be seen, among other things, in the trips that the Federal Government has undertaken in recent years. The Chancellor was there several times, as were many of his ministers. “I do believe that the federal government is taking Africa seriously,” says Rainer Thiele, Professor of International Development in Kiel.
He observes that Africa is becoming increasingly important: “That has something to do with geopolitical changes. Russia’s war, skepticism towards China. People want to diversify energy chains.”
These are among the things that will be discussed in Berlin today. In the morning, representatives from numerous African countries will meet top German politicians. Federal Chancellor Olaf Scholz is there, as are Federal Minister of Economics Robert Habeck and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier. The “Compact with Africa” conference has been running since 2017 – it is a German idea.
“Growing importance of the continent”
“Africa must play a larger role in international relations,” says Olaf Scholz, explaining his view of the continent. “A role that does justice to the continent and its growing importance. For example when it comes to energy. Hydrogen from Namibia or gas from Senegal. Germany has the greatest interest in new markets, especially after the loss of Russian energy.” In all projects, it is important to meet the new partners on an equal footing.
The time for Western politicians to take a broad stance must end, says Stephan Exo-Krischer from the development policy organization “One”: “What we expect – i.e. what Chancellor Scholz should do differently – is that he is actually now entering an era that the Compact is now is driven forward in partnership.”
African Union should join the G20
The federal government has long been committed to ensuring that the African Union (AU) has a permanent seat in the G20, i.e. the most important industrialized and emerging countries. It would be a symbol of a relationship of equals, perhaps even more than that.
At today’s conference with African heads of state, things must finally become concrete, says Exo-Kreischer: “There are many things where Africa can help us find solutions. We have to change our attitude. Don’t just see Africa as a problem, but as a continent that can help with solutions and that we need.”