Germany in Africa
The countries of sub-Saharan Africa have made significant progress in many areas over the past few years. Economic growth in most of these African states is above the international average, democratic elections have become the norm at all levels, rule-of-law principles are increasingly respected, and African countries now view themselves as bearing the prime responsibility for the development of their continent. Nonetheless, significant challenges remain, also for Germany's Africa policy.
Introducing the German Government’s Strategy for Africa, German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle said it coincided with a “time of dramatic change and upheaval taking place right next door to Europe”. He said that what was happening – particularly in Africa – presented us with “perhaps the most intriguing evidence of a changing world”.
German Government's Strategy for Africa
Kenyan economist James Shikwati will join the Board of Trustees of the Hamburg-based Aid by Trade Foundation. The founder of the Kenyan think tank “Inter Region Economic Network” supports the Foundation's innovative approach to development. The Aid by Trade Foundation supports and encourages African farmers, through its initiative Cotton Made in Africa, to play a direct role in helping themselves through trade.
Encouraging African farmers
Three European development finance partners and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) formally agreed to finance the Mooi-Mgeni water supply project in KwaZulu-Natal on May 16. Germany’s KfW Entwicklungsbank (the German Development Bank), the European Investment Bank and the French Agency for Development, all with a strong track record of supporting water projects in South Africa, signed contracts to provide loan funding for 195 million Euro to the Trans-Caledon Tunnel Authority.
Over 6 million South Africans to benefit from 195 Million Euro water project
Namibian DG of the National Planning Commission, Tom Alweendo and German Ambassador to Namibia, H.E. Egon Kochanke, signed two agreements on Financial and Technical Cooperation between Namibia and Germany on May 19. The agreements, worth 15 million Euro, are aimed at skills development through strengthening the education of civil engineers in Namibia.
Germany to Support Civil Engineering in Namibia
The German Ambassador to Cameroon, Reinhard Buchholz, presented 21 Cameroonian DAAD scholarship holders their certificates at a reception on March 24. The African scholars will study, teach and conduct research in Germany in the fields of linguistics, science and cultural history.
Cameroon DAAD scholarships
On March 15, the African Ombudsman Research Centre (AORC) was launched at the University of Kwazulu Natal. Germany supports the AORC via the Trilateral Cooperation (TriCo) Fund, which is a mechanism for South Africa and Germany to assist and support African countries or regional activities.
Germany supports African Ombudsman Research Centre
