On Thursday evening (30 November 2023), the Vice-President of the German Bundestag, Katrin Göring-Eckardt, presented the German Africa Award 2023 to the 1st National Women’s Convention for Peace in Cameroon at the Allianz Forum in Berlin. The award, which was awarded to a collective for the first time in 30 years, recognises the Women’s Peace Platform’s pioneering work in promoting …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, MEP: “However, some Member States of the European Union are reluctant to legislate, as well as to introduce, for example, the notion of consent. Yes, it’s yes and No, it’s no! It shouldn’t be complicated to understand”/Photo: © Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana Here’s the message of Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, Member of the European Parliament representing Germany on the …

As with every new month, December 2023 brings a number of changes for people living in Germany. Two groups of people can be particularly pleased, as they will receive more money in the new month. Deutsche Post has published tips on when Christmas presents should be sent and the Deutsche Bahn has also published its Winter Timetable. You can find …

Germany is offering itself to African countries as a long-term and reliable economic partner. That is the message of Berlin at the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference in the German capital city this week. “Africa is our partner of choice when it comes to intensifying our economic relations and taking the common path to a climate-neutral future,” said Chancellor …

German Africa Prize 2023 goes to the Cameroonian women’s peace platform “1st National Women’s Convention for Peace in Cameroon”. The Deutsche Afrika Stiftung e.V. (German Africa Foundation), organisers of the award, has announced. The Prize will be presented to the organisation by the Vice President of the German Bundestag Katrin Göring-Eckhardt at a ceremony on 30 November at the Allianz …

At a meeting of the Council of the EU’s permanent representatives committee on Thursday, EU member states agreed to update the conditions under which third-country nationals can acquire EU long-term resident status. In order to acquire EU long-term resident status, third-country nationals have to legally and continuously reside in a member state for at least five years. This EU status …

President Bola Tinubu has called for German investment in critical sectors of the Nigerian economy such as power and rail transportation. Tinubu made the call at a meeting with German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, on the sidelines of the G20 Compact with Africa Economic Conference, on Monday in Berlin. The president said that German investment was needed in critical growth-enabling industries …

The Nigerian government has warned its nationals against travelling abroad without proper documentation to avoid the unpleasant consequences of irregular migration. The Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Dr Abike Dabiri-Erewa, stated this when she visited some Nigerians in one of the shelters in Brampton, Canada. A statement released via the commission’s handle on X Thursday, warned Nigerians who have the …

China has granted visa-free travel to Germans and citizens of five other countries for a year, its foreign ministry announced on Friday. “China has decided to apply unilateral visa-free policy to more countries on a trial basis, which involves extending visa-free treatment to travellers holding ordinary passports from six countries, namely France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Malaysia,” Chinese …

President Bola Tinubu of Nigeria is scheduled to arrive Berlin on Saturday for a three-day official visit to Germany. Among other activities, he will attend the G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Conference, hosted by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, on Monday (20 November). “During the conference, President Tinubu will join other Heads of State and Government of CwA member countries, bilateral …

InterKontinental Verlag has been honoured with the 2023 Berlin Publishing Award (Berliner Verlagspreis). The publishing company is a subsidiary of InterKontinental, the Berlin-based literary agency and association for the promotion of African and Afro-diasporic literature. The Berlin Publishing Prize 2023 was presented to InterKontinental Verlag as well as two others, Edition Tiamat and Lukas Verlag, on 5 November during a …

Dr Pierrette Herzberger-Fofana, a member of the European Parliament representing Germany, has announced that she would seek reelection next year. “It has been a great honour for me to work for our Alliance 90/The Greens in the European Parliament since 2019 to realise the vision of a fairer, more humane and sustainable world,” Ms Herzberger-Fofana said in a public announcement …

Liberian President George Weah has conceded defeat to opposition leader Joseph Boakai after a tight presidential run-off, saying it was time to put national interest above personal interest President George Weah of Liberia has congratulated Joseph Nyumah Boakai of the opposition Unity Party as winner of the 2023 presidential runoff election, held on Tuesday. Weah called Mr Boakai, a former …

Nigeria’s Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has announced that his ministry would soon establish new passport processing and collection centres, especially for Nigerians in the diaspora, to decongest the influx of people at the already established centres as well as fast track service operations. The Minister made the policy statement at the just-concluded 6th Edition of the Nigeria Diaspora …

Adire Carnival, the Nigerian Cultural Festival that holds annually in the Austrian capital city of Vienna, has received an important endorsement from one of the most influential traditonal leaders in Africa. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II), the Ooni of Ife, has expressed his support for the Carnival, organised by the Egbe Omo Oduduwa Austria. He was speaking in his …

The Federal Government of Nigeria has launched the Diaspora Housing Scheme that enables Nigerians outside the country to access up to N50 million in mortgage loans, repayable over a period of 10 years at an interest rate of 6.9%. The scheme, facilitated by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), is to promote an active involvement of Nigerians living abroad in …

We are used to African festivals being events connected with singing, music and dancing as well as other related cultural activities. A new form of festival will hold on 24 November in Berlin. It’s a festival devoted to our well-being in a holistic sense of it, as the organiser, Lola Bassey of the Aktive Afrikanische Eltern Initiative e.V. (Active African …

All roads lead to Berlin on Saturday 2 December when the biggest umbrella body of African associations in Germany celebrates its 10th anniversary. “This event is a special opportunity for The African Network of Germany (TANG), comprising more than 900 non-profit groups and individuals, to celebrate its successes and share its vision for the future,” the organisation said. The day …

Our Editor-in-Chief, Femi Awoniyi, was at the live concert of the Afro-Brazilian legend Mateus Aleluia last week and he narrates what he describes as an unforgettable experience Mateus Aleluia gave a live concert during the week in Berlin. Accompanied by a percussionist, the Afro-Brazilian musician appeared with his daughter Fabiana on piano. It was such a lean lineup, but the …

Nigeria has commenced the opening of enhanced e-passport facilities at select Nigerian Embassies in Europe. Unveiling the facilities in Rome, Italy, on Monday, the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, said the new passport processing centres are part of efforts “to streamline passport processing and acquisition for Nigerians residing in the diaspora.” The minister, who was represented at the event …