Africa is gaining importance on the international scene and this is confirmed once again with the official visits of the German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz, and the German President, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, to Africa. These trips underline Berlin’s growing interest in the African continent and highlight key areas of cooperation between Germany and African countries.
Economically, Germany is seeking to diversify its energy sources after the end of Russian gas deliveries. It is in this context that the importation of Nigerian oil by Germany takes on its full meaning. Additionally, Germany is seeking to strengthen its economic ties with Africa by exploring new opportunities, particularly in the area of liquefied gas and raw materials.
Migration issues are also at the heart of discussions during these visits. Germany is seeking to find solutions to manage migratory flows from Africa, in particular by repatriating rejected asylum seekers. At the same time, Germany also wants to pave the way for welcoming qualified African workers, particularly in the field of IT where the skills of Ghanaians arouse real interest.
Regional policy is also a crucial point of these visits. The German leaders are in contact with the heads of state of the visited countries, as well as with representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These meetings are an opportunity to discuss regional issues and strengthen cooperation in various areas.
These official visits to Africa come just ahead of the fourth G20 Africa Investment Summit, which will be held in Berlin in a few weeks. This demonstrates the importance given by Germany to the economic development of the African continent and the promotion of investments.
In conclusion, the visits to Africa by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier demonstrate Germany’s growing interest in the African continent. These trips highlight economic opportunities, migration issues and regional cooperation. Germany seeks to strengthen its ties with Africa in various areas, including energy, investments and skilled human resources.