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Study Reveals Discrimination in Germany’s Training Market

A new study by the University of Siegen has uncovered stark evidence of discrimination against young people with migrant backgrounds applying for apprenticeships in Germany. The field experiment, based on over 50,000 fictitious email inquiries sent to 700 businesses with open training positions, revealed a troubling trend: the likelihood of receiving a positive response strongly correlates with the applicant’s name …

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Germany: New Laws and Regulations from August 2025

Like in every month, a series of new laws and regulations enter into effect in August. These changes will impact many aspects of daily life. Staying informed about these updates is crucial to understanding how they may affect you. Below is an overview of the key legal changes starting from August. Digital Passport Photos Now Mandatory From 1 August, applicants …

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Germany: African festivals not to miss before summer ends!

The annual season of African music and culture in Germany is in full swing. Here are the Top Festivals you don’t want to miss before summer ends: Kenako-Festival Berlin 25 July – 3 August/ Berlin, Washingtonplatz (directly in front of Berlin Hauptbahnhof) The flair of the African cultures comes to Berlin! Visitors can buy handmade art, clothing, cosmetics and food …

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Nigeria: The Troubled Legacy of Muhammadu Buhari

Femi Awoniyi reflects on the legacy of Nigeria’s former president, Muhammadu Buhari, who died recently. The general-turned-politician is one of the most controversial figures in Nigeria’s post-independence history. Before his election in 2015, many, especially in the Muslim North, regarded him as a messiah who would rescue the nation from corruption and insecurity and uplift the poor. But after eight …

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Odiase’s win signals rise of a new world heavyweight star

Before a record-breaking hometown crowd in Heidelberg, Emanuel Odiase delivered a powerful performance on Saturday, winning by knockout and claiming the title of German International Heavyweight Champion. The long-anticipated bout marked a significant milestone in the career of the 26-year-old German-Nigerian fighter, whose rising star is now shining even brighter on the national stage. Our contributing editor, Che C. Chukwumerije, …

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Germany: Nigerian Diplomats to Hold Town Hall Meeting with Citizens

The Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt will hold a town hall meeting with Nigerians on Friday, 1 August 2025, in Frankfurt am Main. The event, part of its Consular and Migration Sensitization Programme, is organised in collaboration with the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany. The programme aims to strengthen engagement between the Nigerian diplomatic mission and citizens across Germany …

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Scheme Empowers Migrants in Germany through Entrepreneurship

At an online information session hosted by GAIDI gUG on 22 July 2025, the RESTART programme was introduced to members of the African community in Berlin. Presented by Ingo Müller of Social Impact gGmbH, the session offered a comprehensive overview of this initiative, which aims to empower people with refugee and migration backgrounds to pursue self-employment and economic independence in …

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Nigerians in diaspora gather in Abuja for conference and awards

The sixth annual National Diaspora Day and the third National Diaspora Merit Awards will convene as a hybrid conference on 25–26 July 2025. Hosted by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), the event expects over 1,200 in‑person delegates alongside thousands of virtual participants from around the world. Attendees include government officials, diaspora professionals, investors and youth representatives, all focused on …

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Berlin: Mayor engages with African residents to bridge communication gap

The African community in Spandau gathered on Sunday, 6 July, for a town hall meeting with the mayor of the district, Frank Bewig. The event, organised by the African German Association (AGA), aimed to provide an opportunity for interaction with the authorities. The objective was to inform the mayor about the challenges faced by Africans living in the district and …

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Togo and Uganda: When Leaders Refuse to Leave, the Youth Must Lead — Ras Mubarak

Ghanaian politician and commentator Ras Mubarak* turns a critical lens on the long-standing regimes of Togo and Uganda—two nations where autocratic leaders masquerade as democrats by manipulating constitutions to entrench themselves in power. In this compelling piece, he not only exposes the cynical tactics of rulers like Faure Gnassingbé and Yoweri Museveni but also issues a rousing call to action …

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Germany’s job-seeker visa gains momentum as it marks first anniversary

One year after its launch, Germany’s Opportunity Card (‘Chancenkarte’) visa scheme is gaining momentum as a pathway for non-EU skilled workers to enter the country and search for employment. Introduced under Section 20a of the German Residence Act, the visa allows qualified third-country nationals to stay in Germany for up to 12 months to seek work or have their foreign …

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Court: Berlin street can be renamed after African scholar

Berlin’s district of Mitte has won a protracted legal battle to rename Mohrenstraße, a 300‑year‑old street long criticised for its racist connotations. On 9 July 2025, the Oberverwaltungsgericht (Higher Administrative Court) in Berlin‑Brandenburg dismissed an appeal by local residents, affirming last year’s ruling by the Verwaltungsgericht (Administrative Court) and clearing the way for the name change to become irrevocable. The …

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Frankfurt celebrates Yoruba culture as festival debuts

Frankfurt will play host to the first-ever ASA WA Day, a vibrant celebration of Yoruba heritage, on Saturday, 12 July 2025. Taking place at Saalbau Griesheim, the event promises an immersive journey into one of West Africa’s most influential and enduring cultures. Organised by the Yoruba Heritage Art and Cultural Group in collaboration with Souls of Africa e.V., ASA WA …

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Family demands investigation into young Afro-German woman’s suspicious death in Berlin psychiatric hospital

The family of Sonia Omoroghomwan and Black organisations are demanding a thorough investigation into her death in a Berlin psychiatric hospital, as multiple pieces of evidence contradict the official account of the young woman’s passing, reports Amal Abbass. The death of 25-year-old Sonia Omoroghomwan in a psychiatric hospital in Berlin has raised serious questions – not only about the circumstances …

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Schengen in retreat as more EU countries bring back border controls

The European Union’s cherished Schengen system, which guarantees passport-free travel across much of the continent, is facing mounting pressure as more member states reintroduce internal border controls. The latest move comes from Poland, which has announced it will temporarily impose checks along its borders with Germany and Lithuania starting next Monday. Currently, 11 of the 29 Schengen countries are operating …

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African Book Festival celebrates ‘Other Worlds’ in Berlin

African Book Festival will once again turn Berlin into a vibrant meeting point for literary voices from the African continent and its diaspora. Under the theme “In Other Worlds,” the festival will take place from 18–20 July, offering three days of readings, panels, performances and powerful discussions on African storytelling in all its genres and dimensions. Organised by InterKontinental, the …

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KENAKO: Berlin’s African festival celebrates culture, dialogue and togetherness

From 24 July to 3 August 2025, Berlin will once again host the vibrant KENAKO Africa Festival — but this year at a new location: Washingtonplatz, directly in front of Berlin Hauptbahnhof. Despite the move from its traditional home at Alexanderplatz, the festival promises the same rich blend of African music, art, culture and dialogue that has made it a …

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Germany: Bundestag approves law suspending family reunification for refugees

Germany’s federal parliament, the Bundestag, has voted to suspend family reunification rights for refugees with subsidiary protection status for two years — a controversial move that has drawn sharp criticism from human rights groups, churches and opposition parties. The suspension, which primarily affects Syrian refugees, marks the first step in a series of planned reforms by the federal government to …

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Important Changes in Germany Starting from July 2025

As a new month begins, so do new laws and regulations in Germany. From higher pensions and wages to updated tax deadlines and simplified care benefits, July 2025 brings a range of changes that affect millions of people in the country. Whether you’re retired, working in healthcare, caring for a loved one or filing your taxes — it’s important to …

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