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.
The death of Pope Francis on Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, at the age of 88, has reverberated across the globe. In Africa, a continent where Catholicism is rapidly growing, his passing has elicited profound sorrow and reflection. Leaders, faithful and communities have come together to honor a pontiff whose commitment to humility, justice and inclusion left an indelible mark …
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April, 2025
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17 April
Germany: African-owned nursing school empowers international students
The International School of Nursing Berlin has celebrated its first graduation, marking a major milestone for a pioneering institution that’s not only training much-needed nursing professionals, but also telling a powerful story of African success in Germany. Femi Awoniyi reports The International School of Nursing Berlin (ISNB) marked a major milestone on Wednesday as it held its first graduation ceremony. …
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17 April
EU declares three African countries, 4 others as safe countries of origin
The European Commission has proposed designating seven countries as “safe countries of origin,” aiming to expedite the processing of asylum applications from their nationals. Under this proposal, asylum claims from individuals originating from these nations would be subject to accelerated procedures, with decisions expected within three months, compared to the standard six-month timeframe. The Commission justifies this move by citing …
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16 April
Germany: Business group urges concrete actions on Africa by incoming government
The Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft (German-African Business Association) has welcomed the incoming German coalition government’s recognition of Africa as a strategic partner and its commitment to enhancing economic cooperation. However, the association emphasizes the need for tangible actions to realize these intentions. In the recently published coalition agreement titled “Verantwortung für Deutschland” (“Responsibility for Germany”), the CDU, CSU and SPD …
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16 April
How to avoid online scams when applying for UK entry permit
Travellers to the United Kingdom now need a digital travel authorisation called ETA (Electronic Travel Authorisation). However, consumer advocates are warning of widespread online scams that are catching many people off guard, German media report. Since 2 April 2025, most non-visa visitors to the UK – including tourists from the EU – must apply for an ETA before entering the …
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16 April
Zvilo appoints Peter Maila as CEO of Africa operations
Zvilo, a working capital lender to businesses in the EU, Türkiye, Africa, and the Middle East, has made a strategic appointment with Peter Maila joining the business. Peter will spearhead Zvilo’s African expansion as CEO of Zvilo Africa and serve on executive committees at Zvilo global level. Maila joins Zvilo from FMO, the Netherlands-based entrepreneurial development bank where he was …
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12 April
Germany: Modupe Laja honoured with Bavarian State Medal for Social Merit
Modupe Laja, a pioneering Afro-German rights advocate, has been awarded the Bavarian State Medal for Social Merit (Bayerische Staatsmedaille für soziale Verdienste). She was among sixteen distinguished recipients honoured on 3 April at a formal ceremony in Munich, where the medal was presented by Ulrike Scharf, Bavaria’s Minister for Family, Labour and Social Affairs. The medal, established in 1970 by …
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10 April
Germany’s new coalition government proposes stricter migration policies
The party leaders of the CDU, CSU and SPD presented the coalition agreement this week, outlining their plans for a joint government. One of the dominant topics is migration. Among other significant changes to the country’s migration policies, Germany’s incoming government, led by Chancellor-designate Friedrich Merz of the CDU, intends to scale back recent liberalisations in citizenship law, tighten family …
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2 April
Rights advocates raise alarm over EU’s new deportation draft law
The European Commission unveiled a draft law on 11 March aimed at expediting deportations of undocumented migrants across Europe — a legislation that critics say undermines human rights and disproportionately affects vulnerable groups, including many Africans. The proposal, rushed through amid political pressure, has been sharply condemned by migrant advocacy groups for its lack of consultation and comprehensive impact assessments. …
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2 April
Germany: Fewer successful asylum appeals as applications drop
In 2024, German administrative courts granted fewer asylum-seekers’ appeals against decisions by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees (BAMF). According to government data cited by the German news agency dpa, only 18% of appeals succeeded, down from 24.4% in 2023 and 36.5% in 2022. This decline in the success rate of appeals suggests an improvement in BAMF’s decision-making, potentially …
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