In a welcome development, Germany has unveiled four new Schengen visa application centres — two in Nigeria (Abuja and Lagos), one in Yaoundé (Cameroon) and another in Nicosia (Cyprus). This expansion, launched under a renewed seven-year agreement with VFS Global, seeks to streamline visa services and reduce bottlenecks affecting applicants. VFS Global is the world’s largest outsourcing and technology services …
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The European Commission has confirmed that its long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) will begin its phased rollout on 12 October 2025, launching a digital transformation of border management across 29 European countries, including Schengen-associated states. Designed to modernise the cumbersome process of passport stamping, the EES will capture biometric data — fingerprints, facial images along with travel document and entry/exit details …
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From 1 October 2025, Emirates passengers will face stricter rules when travelling with powerbanks. The Dubai-based airline says the move is aimed at enhancing onboard safety amid rising incidents involving lithium batteries across the aviation industry. According to the new policy, passengers may still bring powerbanks on board under certain conditions, but using or charging them during the flight is …
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The magic of cinema shone brightly as the Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG) and the Nollywood Europe Golden Awards (NEGA) concluded in spectacular fashion, celebrating two unforgettable days of storytelling, creativity, and cultural pride. A Grand Opening at Deutsches Filmmuseum The festival opened on August 8 at the prestigious Deutsches Filmmuseum with the world premiere of KARMA, produced by festival …
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The European Court of Justice (ECJ) has issued a landmark ruling that raises the standard for EU countries when designating “safe countries of origin” in asylum procedures. Persons from safe countries of origin have little chance of being granted asylum in the EU. According to the Court, a country can only be considered safe if all groups within its population, …
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The suicide of a 15-year-old Black boy in a German juvenile detention centre has sparked fierce debates about racism, violence and systemic neglect within the country’s justice system. The incident, which occurred on 1 August at the Justizvollzugsanstalt (JVA) Ottweiler in Saarland, has drawn parallels to past cases of Black people dying in state custody, raising urgent questions about institutional …
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A rare opportunity for Nigerians in Germany to speak directly with their diplomats took place in Frankfurt on 1 August 2025. The town hall meeting, part of the Consulate’s Consular and Migration Sensitisation Programme, addressed urgent community concerns — from passport delays to legal challenges and child welfare cases. In this exclusive interview with The African Courier, Chuks Lewis Ehiwario, …
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The Nigerian Consulate General in Frankfurt brought the diaspora together for a landmark town hall meeting on Friday, 1 August 2025, as part of its ongoing Consular and Migration Sensitisation Programme. Held in Frankfurt am Main, the gathering provided a rare platform for direct interaction between the Consul General, Ambassador Yakubu Dadu, and Nigerians living in Germany. Among the speakers …
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Get ready to be dazzled — the third edition of Africa Fashion Week Cologne (AFWC) is on the horizon, returning in style on 13–14 September 2025 at the elegant Sartory-Saal in the heart of Cologne, Germany. This move to the iconic venue follows two sensational editions, including an unforgettable display at the Rautenstrauch–Joest–Museum in 2023. This year’s Africa Fashion Week …
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Nollywood royalty is coming to Germany! Award-winning actress, producer and director Funke Akindele, revered as Nigeria’s queen of cinema, will be one of the celebrated guests at this year’s Nollywood Film Festival Germany (NFFG), taking place from 8–9 August in Frankfurt am Main. Joining Akindele are other Nollywood stars Charles Inojie, Rita Edochie and Rahama Sadau, promising a dazzling lineup …
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THE AFRICAN COURIER. Reporting Africa and its Diaspora! The African Courier is an international magazine published in Germany to report on Africa and the Diaspora African experience. The first issue of the bimonthly magazine appeared on the newsstands on 15 February 1998. The African Courier is a communication forum for European-African political, economic and cultural exchanges, and a voice for Africa in Europe.