April, 2025

• 25 April

  Daniela Schwarzer appointed President of Germany’s Institute for Foreign Cultural Relations

  

  Daniela Schwarzer, a prominent German political scientist and expert in international affairs, has been appointed as the new President of the Institut für Auslandsbeziehungen (ifa), Germany’s leading institution for international cultural exchange. She will assume the honorary position on 3 June 2025, succeeding historian and publicist Ulrich Raulff, who has held the role since 2018.   Schwarzer currently serves as …

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• 24 April

  German education agency opens office in Accra for regional cooperation

  

  The German Academic Exchange Service (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst, DAAD) has inaugurated a new regional office in Accra, Ghana, marking a significant expansion of Germany’s academic engagement in West Africa. The office, which will initially focus on Ghana, Nigeria and Cameroon, is expected to strengthen scientific collaboration and enhance academic exchange between the region and Germany. The DAAD Regional Office – …

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• 24 April

  Young Afro-German fatally shot by police sparks outcry and demands for justice

  

  On Easter Sunday, Lorenz A., a 21-year-old Afro-German, was fatally shot by a police officer in Oldenburg, northwest Germany. The killing has triggered widespread outrage, especially within the Black community, and renewed concerns about systemic racial bias and the disproportionate use of lethal force by German police against people of African descent. What Happened? According to police reports, Lorenz was …

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• 24 April

  Africa reflects on the Legacy of Pope Francis

  

  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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• 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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