Germany is stepping up its engagement with Africa, with Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul recently embarking on a tour of Mauritania, Nigeria, and South Africa, his third trip to Africa this year. In Mauritania, discussions focused on migration management, counterterrorism, and community-led efforts to prevent extremism. In Nigeria, attention shifted to innovation, vocational education, and expanding trade with one of Africa’s fastest-growing creative and technology markets. In South Africa, Germany’s largest economic partner on the continent, he is expected to hold talks on manufacturing, energy transition, and industrial investment. Berlin’s increased engagement with the continent provides it with a foothold amid rising Chinese and Russian influence. For African nations, it offers increased investment and technology transfers, as well as security partnerships. The shift signals Berlin treating Africa as a geopolitical priority rather than an aid recipient, though follow-through on pledged funding and stated democratic values will test the relationship’s substance.
DW