German-African cooperation is based on a strategy aimed at sustainable and equitable development in Africa. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is working with 54 African countries to create 25 million jobs annually. Germany recently suspended its military cooperation with Niger in favour of peace and security through integrated approaches. In Côte d’Ivoire, major investments are being made in sustainable infrastructure and green hydrogen. BMZ focuses on six key areas, including gender equality and good governance.
German-African cooperation is based on a strategy aimed at promoting sustainable and equitable development in Africa. Working with 54 countries on the African continent, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has refocused its efforts on creating an environment conducive to the creation of 25 million jobs annually, with the ambition of meeting the needs of the largest generation of young people.
I would like to say how committed we are to investment in this area. And I asked the Minister if we could have even more investment from the private sector.
ALASSANE OUATTARA President of the Republic of Côte d’Ivoire
On 17 July 2024, Germany ended its military cooperation with Niger, which has been governed by a transitional government since July 2023. This decision is part of Germany’s broader commitment to strengthening peace and security through integrated approaches combining humanitarian aid, development cooperation and peace promotion.
As far as Russia’s role in Mali and now Niger is concerned, we realised that we were not in a position to continue the support role we had previously assumed in the area of security, policing and training within the UN MINUSMA mission, since the reliability that existed previously was no longer there.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs , Germany
Germany is also targeting investments in economic and social capacity building. In 2023, for example, Germany invested significantly in sustainable infrastructure and energy transition projects in Côte d’Ivoire, including the development of a new green hydrogen industry. In addition, initiatives have been launched to improve women’s access to credit and support female entrepreneurs, with a view to promoting inclusive growth.
Côte d’Ivoire today has one of the most successful economies in West Africa. Although the challenges of poverty and youth unemployment persist, we have of course also talked about them. Now that this young and dynamic development is also taking place, we are not surprised that the number of German companies in Côte d’Ivoire has tripled in three years.
Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs , Germany
All in all, the BMZ’s Africa strategy focuses on six key areas: sustainable economic development, the fight against poverty and hunger, health and the prevention of pandemics, feminist development policy and gender equality, the rule of law and good governance, and peace and security. With Africa’s population expected to reach 2.5 billion by 2050, Germany aims to establish equitable partnerships and contribute to a social and ecological transformation of the African economy.
