18.11.2025 - "While other economic powers are strategically expanding their presence on the continent, Europe must no longer stand aside. The B20/G20 summit in South Africa is an important opportunity to recalibrate and deepen economic cooperation with the African continent – all the more so as not all global partners are represented and the dialogue among those present therefore gains even more significance.

Now is the time for an 'Africa turn' with resilient value chains, local production, and sustainable industrial cooperation. Germany and Europe should jointly build structures with Africa that foster economic growth, technology exchange, and employment. 

Africa is already a partner for future technologies, energy, and sustainable development for the German economy. Therefore, economic relations must be strategically strengthened – through improved investment conditions, closer alignment of foreign trade promotion and development cooperation, and clear political signals. 

The European connectivity initiative Global Gateway is setting the right focus but must be quickly implemented with the involvement of the European private sector – especially against the backdrop of the withdrawal of important Western drivers such as the USA.

The EU agreement with South Africa, the Clean Trade and Investment Partnership, is fundamentally supported by the German economy but remains only minimally effective without legal binding – not least because companies were not sufficiently involved. Legally-binding agreements with important trading partners remain essential to facilitate foreign trade and remove barriers. 

If Europe wants to diversify its economic future, there is no way around a strategic partnership with Africa. This requires political groundwork and entrepreneurial courage on both sides."