Asylum-seekers in Germany are facing significantly lower chances of having their applications approved, according to official government data from the first half of 2025. The recognition rate for protection claims has plummeted to 26.5%, a sharp decline compared to previous years, when recognition rates ranged between 59 and 72 percent. The fall is especially striking for applicants from conflict-torn countries: …

A growing number of nations are successfully reclaiming their cultural heritage, but advocates say former colonial powers like the UK and France must do more. A wave of restitution is moving across Europe, as former colonial powers begin returning looted artefacts and human remains to their countries of origin, according to a recent review by the Berlin-based advocacy group Colonialism …

For some, a few euros at the slot machines or placing bets online are just harmless pastimes. For many others in Germany, what begins as entertainment can quickly spiral into addiction, financial ruin and family breakdown ______ A hidden epidemic is destroying lives and families across Germany, with experts warning that immigrant communities, including Africans, are disproportionately at risk. Gambling …

Berlin, 25 September 2025 – Ten years after the so-called “summer of migration,” Germany is taking stock of one of the most transformative moments in its recent history. The Heinrich Böll Foundation, in cooperation with the German Center for Integration and Migration Research (DeZIM), will host an expert conference titled “Between Open Arms and Closed Borders – A Decade of …

The 22nd Afrika Film Festival Köln opened on Thursday, 18 September, to a wave of excitement, reaffirming its status as Europe’s leading platform for African cinema. The festival began with the critically acclaimed Kenyan documentary How to Build a Library by Maia Lekow and Christopher King, a moving exploration of how communities in Africa preserve knowledge and culture through education. …

Nigerian community leaders across Europe will convene for a crucial virtual meeting this Saturday, 20 September 2025, to deliberate on pressing matters affecting Nigerians in the diaspora. The meeting, organised under the auspices of the International Association for Human Rights and Accountability (IAHRAC), will take place via Zoom at 7:00 PM Central European Time. At the centre of the agenda …

A new migration report released by the German charity Malteser Hilfsdienst highlights persistent educational and labour market disadvantages facing children and young people with migration backgrounds in Germany. The study, presented as the Malteser Migrationsbericht 2025, delivers sobering figures: in 2023, 74 percent of students without any school-leaving certificate came from migrant families, although people with a migration background make …

The European Union Agency for Asylum (EUAA) has reported a significant 23 percent reduction in asylum applications across the EU+ region (EU Member States plus Norway and Switzerland), with 399,000 new claims registered between January and June 2025, 114,000 fewer than during the same period in 2024. A striking reduction in applications from Syrian nationals played a central role. Syrian …

On 9 September, Ethiopia officially inaugurated its Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), now Africa’s largest hydroelectric project. Located on the Blue Nile near the Sudanese border, the US$5 billion dam stands 170 meters tall and stretches nearly 2 kilometers across the river. With a capacity to generate 5,150 megawatts of electricity, GERD is poised to significantly enhance Ethiopia’s energy infrastructure …

60 young Africans across the Globe arrived in Beijing, China to attend the 9th edition of the annual ‘China Africa Youth Festival. The China-Africa Youth Festival is launched to implement important consensuses reached between Chinese Presidents Xi Jinping and leaders of African countries at the 2015 Johannesburg Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the aim is to promote …

On Friday, 19 September 2025, Germany will mark the National Day of Civil Courage (Tag der Zivilcourage), a nationwide initiative promoting democratic values, social engagement and tolerance. From 10 AM to 6 PM, communities across the country will host events encouraging citizens to stand against discrimination and injustice. Nationwide Participation Numerous cities are participating in the Day of Civil Courage. …

Equatorial Guinea is showcasing a different African story — one of modern infrastructure, clean cities and strategic development. Writing from his Trans-African Tourism and Unity Campaign journey, former Ghanaian MP Ras Mubarak highlights the country’s progress while questioning Western double standards that often overshadow African achievements. As I journeyed through Equatorial Guinea, driving from Ghana to the vibrant city of …

Germany is increasingly recognising the professional qualifications of foreign workers — a trend seen as vital for addressing the country’s acute shortage of skilled labour. According to new data from the Federal Statistical Office, 79,100 applications for recognition of foreign qualifications were approved in 2024, an increase of 21 percent compared to the previous year. Since systematic recording began in …

The wait is nearly over: Africa Fashion Week Cologne (AFWC) returns for its third edition on 13–14 September 2025, bringing glamour, culture and creativity to the prestigious Sartory-Saal in the heart of Cologne. The move to this iconic venue underscores the growing importance of the event, which has quickly established itself as one of the most exciting showcases of African …

For many refugee families in Germany, the struggle does not end with finding safety. A new report by the German Children’s Fund (Deutsches Kinderhilfswerk) has revealed that refugee children often wait months — sometimes up to three years — before being allowed into regular school classes. The organisation calls this unacceptable, stressing that every child has a right to education. …

September 2025 may not bring a flood of new laws in Germany, but several important changes will take effect this month. Some of these changes may directly affect you – from a higher minimum wage for apprentices, which is especially relevant for young people starting vocational training, to the nationwide rollout of the electronic health record system and the deadline …

A bold new initiative led by the African diaspora in Germany is set to reshape how skilled labour migration between Africa and Europe is managed. The 360° Labour Mobility programme, launched recently in Ghana and Nigeria, creates a structured pathway for African professionals to access job opportunities in Germany. Germany faces a looming demographic crisis. According to the Institute for …

A new prize celebrating African cinema through African eyes is about to make its debut. The AFP Critics Prize is set to be awarded for the first time in Lagos. _______ In a bold step towards redefining how African cinema is recognized and critiqued, the African Film Press (AFP), a continent-wide alliance of independent film platforms, has unveiled the AFP …

The Federal Government of Nigeria has announced a sharp increase in the fees for obtaining the Nigerian international passport. The new pricing structure will take effect on 1 September 2025, according to a statement released on Thursday by a spokesman for the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS). The increment is tied to the rollout of the new “Nigerian Standard Passport,” which …

A Critical Analysis of Systemic Racism in German Family Law The treatment of Black parents and children within Germany’s family law system, exemplified by the ongoing separation of a Black man and his young son, reveals deeply embedded structural inequities that amount to violations of international human rights law, writes Amal Abbass*. Through legal, historical, sociological and intersectional lenses, she …