The Business Scouts for Development are experienced contact persons stationed at the DIHK, the Industrie- und Handelskammern (IHK), and the foreign chambers of commerce. They combine foreign trade expertise with development policy know-how, supporting companies in realising viable business and project ideas in developing and emerging countries.

The offering is aimed particularly at small and medium-sized enterprises seeking to engage internationally for the first time or further develop existing foreign projects. Companies interested in sustainable business models, investments, or training projects in developing and emerging countries also benefit from the advice. A development policy background is not a prerequisite; the decisive factor is the specific entrepreneurial project.

What support do the Business Scouts offer?

Orientation and initial consultation

Business Scouts assist companies in structuring initial project ideas and identifying suitable countries, markets, and forms of cooperation. Together with companies, they clarify the next sensible steps and determine which support services are fundamentally appropriate.

Project development

On this basis, Business Scouts accompany the further development of specific projects. They advise on project design and possible cooperation models, such as public-private partnerships.

Funding and financing

A central part of the consultation is orientation within the funding and financing environment. Business Scouts provide information on appropriate development cooperation programs and highlight financing instruments for investment or training projects. They also establish contact with the relevant funding institutions.

Collaboration with strong partners

The Business Scouts for Development project relies on close cooperation between business and development cooperation.

A key partner is the Agency for Business and Development (AWE), which serves as a joint contact point of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and BMWK, providing advice to companies on economic engagement in developing and emerging countries.

Located at the AWE is also the Helpdesk Economy and Human Rights, which supports companies in implementing human rights and environmental due diligence processes along global value chains.

Additionally, Business Scouts collaborate with development cooperation organisations such as the Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), DEG, and sequa, as well as with the worldwide network of foreign chambers of commerce. The DIHK plays a coordinating role, ensuring that companies are purposefully connected to suitable partners.

Fields of activity and projects

Investment and market projects

Business Scouts assist companies with investment and market entry projects, such as establishing production facilities, developing local value chains, or entering new markets in developing and emerging countries.

Vocational training and qualification

Another focus lies on projects in vocational education, including training and qualification initiatives, vocational education partnerships (e.g., in Mexico), and establishing practical training structures on-site.

Sustainable energy supply

A secure and affordable energy supply is a key prerequisite for economic development. In emerging and developing countries, energy demand is steadily increasing, driven by population growth and improved living conditions. Renewable energies are gaining particular importance and offer attractive business opportunities for German companies.

In this context, the IHK organisation is involved in the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy's energy export initiative. The Project Development Program (PEP) supports German companies in entering new growth markets.

In close collaboration with the network of foreign chambers of commerce (AHKs) in Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, the PEP promotes business partnerships between German and local companies. Furthermore, the program accompanies various phases of market positioning and long-term project development.

Digitalisation

Digitalisation is increasingly significant in business processes, supply chains, or as a business model worldwide. The "Make IT" alliance drives development with support from the AHKs.

Innovative solutions and new digital technologies frequently originate from emerging and developing countries. The BMZ promotes the start-up scene of technology companies locally through the Make-IT Alliance, in cooperation with the digital economy and selected actors and interest groups, aiming to connect them to Germany.

The goal is to contribute to inclusive and sustainable economic growth. German business delegations in Kenya and Nigeria support the alliance in initial pilot projects to establish cooperation between German, Nigerian, and Kenyan tech start-ups.

Chamber and association partnerships

Additionally, Business Scouts support projects to strengthen economic structures, including chamber and association partnerships (e.g., with the Western Balkans) and measures for knowledge and experience exchange between economic institutions.

Market information

"New Markets – New Opportunities": Germany's foreign trade agency Germany Trade and Invest (GTAI) provides orientation for German companies with the support of the AHKs and GIZ.

Together with the AHKs and GIZ, GTAI prepares and publishes market information on selected emerging and developing countries. Essential data and facts about the markets are also obtained from the AHKs.