Zvilo, a working capital lender to businesses in the EU, Türkiye, Africa, and the Middle East, has made a strategic appointment with Peter Maila joining the business. Peter will spearhead Zvilo’s African expansion as CEO of Zvilo Africa and serve on executive committees at Zvilo global level. Maila joins Zvilo from FMO, the Netherlands-based entrepreneurial development bank where he was …

Modupe Laja, a pioneering Afro-German rights advocate, has been awarded the Bavarian State Medal for Social Merit (Bayerische Staatsmedaille für soziale Verdienste). She was among sixteen distinguished recipients honoured on 3 April at a formal ceremony in Munich, where the medal was presented by Ulrike Scharf, Bavaria’s Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs. The medal, established in 1970 by …

The party leaders of the CDU, CSU and SPD presented the coalition agreement this week, outlining their plans for a joint government. One of the dominant topics is migration. Among other significant changes to the country’s migration policies, Germany’s incoming government, led by Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz of the CDU, intends to scale back recent liberalisations in citizenship law, tighten family …

The European Commission unveiled a draft law on 11 March aimed at expediting deportations of undocumented migrants across Europe — a legislation that critics say undermines human rights and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including many Africans. The proposal, rushed through amid political pressure, has been sharply condemned by migrant advocacy groups for its lack of consultation and comprehensive impact assessments. …

In 2024, German administrative courts granted fewer asylum-seekers’ appeals against decisions by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). According to government data cited by the German news agency dpa, only 18% of appeals succeeded, down from 24.4% in 2023 and 36.5% in 2022. This decline in the success rate of appeals suggests an improvement in BAMF’s decision-making, potentially …

German higher education is witnessing a notable rise in international enrolments, with the 2024 academic year marking a significant shift in student demographics. Approximately 491,400 new students began their studies at German universities last year—a 2% increase compared to the previous year—with the surge driven entirely by foreign applicants. Recent data from the Federal Statistical Office, as reported by various …

Like every month, April 2025 brings several important legal changes affecting people living in Germany. These include the recognition of three new occupational diseases, adjustments to colon cancer screening rules, a lower threshold for parental benefits and new travel regulations for the UK, among others. Here’s a summary of the key changes. Relaxation of Germany’s Debt Brake One of the …

As Germany’s coalition talks between the Union parties (CDU/CSU) and SPD progress, migrant advocacy groups are pushing for greater political representation. Thirteen national umbrella organisations have called for at least 25% of cabinet positions to be filled by people with migrant backgrounds, warning that without meaningful inclusion, policies remain “mere symbolism.” Beyond cabinet representation, the organisations demand a national action …

A new study by the German Economic Institute (IW), commissioned by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD), has highlighted the significant economic benefits that international students bring to Germany. The research found that international students generate a return eight times greater than the government’s investment in their education. With around 492,600 international students currently studying in Germany, the country has …

Germany has updated its travel advisory for citizens visiting the United States following multiple reports of German nationals being detained at border entry points. The advisory warns that obtaining a visa or an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) does not guarantee entry, as final admission decisions rest with US border officials. The revision comes after several German travellers were …

The closing event of the first UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) took place at the GLS Campus Berlin on Friday, 21 February. The event, which brought together German government officials, scholars, international guests and civil society organisations from the Black community, featured the presentation of the final report of the advisory board set up by the German …

I was in an African restaurant in Berlin recently, and the topic of discussion was travel — not just to our countries of origin. As German passport holders, we are fortunate to have access to 189 countries and territories around the world without needing a visa. In effect, the world is at our feet. The same applies to those who …

*By Steve Ogah On 20 January 2025, the destiny of most migrants in America took a turn for the worse after Donald Trump was sworn in as president, their fortunes further deteriorating after he signed the “securing our border” executive order, a move that could see undocumented migrants deported from the country in droves. While many migrants suspected what they …

On 13 March 2025, Cape Town hosted the 8th South Africa–European Union (EU) Summit to reinforce the longstanding collaboration between the two partners amid hostile policies of the new US administration. President Donald Trump recently cancelled all aid to South Africa ostensibly for expropriating land from its white citizens without compensation. The one-day summit, centered on collaboration in trade and …

The Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire and German engineering firm GAUFF GmbH & Co. Engineering KG will sign a landmark contract for an off-grid electrification project on 19 March. The signing ceremony, which will hold during the Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue 2025, marks a major milestone in the growing collaboration between Germany and African nations in …

On 21 March 2025, Germany will mark the conclusion of the first UN Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024) with a celebratory closing event at the GLS Campus Berlin. The event, themed “People of African descent: recognition, justice and development,” will bring together civil society organizations, government representatives and members of the African, Afro-diasporic and Black communities to reflect …

Access to banking services is crucial for everyday life — whether for depositing and withdrawing money, making payments or receiving transfers. However, many African asylum-seekers and refugees in Germany struggle to open a bank account due to lack of proper information. What many do not know is that, by law, every person in Germany, including asylum-seekers, has the right to …

Berlin, 14 March 2025 – In observance of the International Day Against Racism, the Heinrich Böll Foundation and the New German Organizations (neue deutsche organisationen, ndo) are hosting a panel discussion titled “Racism – Deportation Fantasies – Isolation: The Future of the Migration Society in Germany.” The event, which provides a platform to reflect on Germany’s current socio-political climate from …

Germany’s 2025 Bundestag election has once again highlighted the growing diversity in the country’s political landscape. According to a comprehensive report by Mediendienst Integration, 73 of the 630 MPs elected at the 23 February polls have immigrant backgrounds, making up approximately 11.6% of the parliament. This figure aligns closely with the 11.3% recorded in the 2021 elections, indicating a stabilisation …

The just concluded ITB Berlin 2025, the world’s leading travel trade show, underscored the resilience and innovation driving the global tourism industry amid ongoing challenges. From 4 to 6 March, the event welcomed 100,000 attendees, 87% of whom were international participants and featured 5,800 exhibitors from 170 countries. This year’s showcase reaffirmed ITB Berlin’s status as the premier meeting point …