Special

A landmark event in the industrialisation of Africa took place on Monday, when the continent’s largest oil refinery was commissioned in Lagos. Witnessed by five African heads of states, the opening of Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals is being greeted continent wide as another evidence that things are looking up for African development. Built by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote, …

The ADAN Career Day 2023 will take place for the 4th time in a row on 2 June at the IHK in Frankfurt am Main. This year, the Afro-German initiative, in partnership with Linkedin, pursues an important goal by aiming to consolidate its status as the largest hybrid career fair for BPoC (Black and people of colour) in Europe. More …

There are many opportunities for startups in Germany. A few tips that will help you achieve success. —— Find a space for your ideas  For years, Berlin has also been regarded as Germany’s startup capital. Every year, more than 500 new businesses are launched there. However, cities in the Ruhr region, such as Essen or Dortmund, repeatedly top the German rankings because …

Every tree is a living symbol of peace and hope. With its roots deep in the earth and its branches reaching for the sky, it lets us know that in order to aspire to reach higher and higher, we too must be firmly rooted to the ground, for, no matter how high we reach, it is always from our roots …

The housing shortage among students in Berlin may be getting worse, according to a new report by the German news agency dpa. The waiting time for a place in a student hostel, for example, is at least three semesters. At the beginning of the summer semester, many students in Berlin are still desperately looking for a flat. As of 1 …

Berlin is awarding prizes to entrepreneurs with a migration background operating in the city, which is also a federal state. The prize, Vielfalt unternimmt – Berlin würdigt migrantische Unternehmen and awarded once in two years, gives public recognition to the achievements of minority entrepreneurs who are contributing greatly to the economic development of the city. The prize was first awarded …

Producing in Africa is not only lucrative for the investors but also means reducing poverty and dependence on foreign suppliers. Yet Africa is still not seen in Europe as a favourable destination for investors. Dennis Elverir, head of the Africa office of African Investment Consultancy, explains how and where to invest in Africa and the hurdles to to watch out …

WHO has announced the appointment of Dr Daniel Ngamije Madandi (MD, MPH) as Director of the Global Malaria Programme, effective 8 April 2023. Dr Ngamije served as the Rwandan Minister of Health from February 2020 to November 2022. During this time, he led the development and execution of the Health Sector Strategic Plan as well as the development and implementation …

Amal Abbass has been awarded this year’s Berliner Frauenpreis (Berlin Women’s Prize). The Black German social entrepreneur was honoured for her long years of engagement for the equality of women who because of their skin colour or gender identity are subjected to discrimination. Amal Abbass, a native of Dresden whose father was a Sudanese, is a transcultural psychologist who has …

Members of The African Network of Germany (TANG) have elected a new board to pilot the affairs of the organisation for the next five years. The election, part of the activities of the group’s ordinary general meeting 2023, took place on 11 March 2023 in Freiburg. Dr Sylvie Nantcha was unanimously re-elected Chairperson of TANG, an umbrella body for African …

Saxony, one of Germany’s 16 federal states, wants to attract more students from abroad and, if possible, retain them later as skilled workers. Universities receive support in identifying target regions for recruiting students, said Science Minister Sebastian Gemkow (CDU) in a government statement in the state parliament on Wednesday in the capital city, Dresden. Special importance is attached to the …

AFRIKA KOMMT! – a further training programme for young African executives – brings together the most visionary young leaders from Africa and leading German companies. The programme revolves around an eight-month internship in a German company. During their assignment, participants gain valuable insight into work processes, company structures and management methods. But the programme goes beyond providing individual support. The …

Applications have opened for the third cohort of Google’s Black Founders Fund for Startups in Africa and Europe. The company has committed $4m to support eligible Black-founded startups in 2023. Startups operating and headquartered in Africa or having a legal presence on the continent are eligible to apply for the Black Founders Fund. Other eligibility criteria for startups that wish …

German analyst Gerd Eckert* looks at the potential benefits of greater German engagement in Ghana as the West African country marks its 66th independence anniversary — Ghana – a former British colony – gained its independence under the leadership of the first Prime Minister, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, who is now respected as a visionary of his time. Today we hear …

The number of international students at German universities has risen to a new high in the current winter semester. According to a quick survey, between 360,000 and 370,000 foreign students are currently enrolled, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has announced. Last winter semester, the number was just under 350,000. According to DAAD projections, the number of international first-year students …

German-African trade reached a new record level in 2022, according to Germany’s Federal Statistical Office. Exports from Germany to African countries last year were 14.5 per cent above those of the previous year at 26.4 billion euros. The increase in imports from the continent was even more pronounced at 27.4 per cent to 33.4 billion euros. The trade volume therefore …

The Austrian chapter of the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation Europe (NIDOE) holds a conference on Friday (10 February) in Vienna on how the diaspora can contribute to efforts to end energy poverty in Africa. With the theme Renewable Energy for Economic Development in Africa: The Role of Remittances, the hybrid event will examine how remittances can be deployed into investment …

Chancellor Olaf Scholz presented the German Africa Award to bioinformatician Prof. Tulio de Oliveira of Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and virologist Dr. Sikhulile Moyo of the Botswana Harvard AIDS Institute Partnership at the Allianz Forum in Berlin on Friday evening, 25 November 2022. The award not only recognises the personal achievements of Prof. de Oliveira and Dr. Moyo, who have …

The World Health Summit (WHS) took place recently in Berlin, Germany. Held between 16-18 October, 2022, it brought together people from Academia, Business and Government from over 140 countries to outline a road map for improving global health. Our Contributing Editor, Dr Michael Nnaji* attended the event and reports. The Word Health Summit, which has just concluded in Berlin, Germany, …

The COVID-19 pandemic had already dampened the steady economic upswing in Africa. Then came the war in Ukraine, which has led to sharp increases in food and energy prices, imposing severe challenges on African countries as the living conditions of the people worsen across the continent. At the same time, EU’s efforts to partner with African countries have increased significantly …