Die neue deutsche Migrationspolitik und ihre Auswirkungen auf afrikanische Partnerländer

This research paper analyzes the 'paradigm shift' in German migration policy under the current coalition government, specifically its impact on African partner countries. While the government aims to transform Germany into a modern immigration country by attracting skilled workers, the author argues that the policy remains rooted in old concepts, primarily linking legal migration pathways to increased cooperation on the repatriation of migrants.

• The German government's announced 'paradigm shift' aims to make Germany a 'modern immigration country' by facilitating the entry of qualified skilled workers and reducing bureaucratic hurdles for residence permits and citizenship.
• Germany's demand for labor is a primary driver of the new agenda, with the government estimating a need for approximately 400,000 immigrants per year to counter labor shortages and maintain economic growth.
• The government is repurposing existing infrastructure, such as GIZ-operated return centers in Nigeria, Tunisia, Ghana, and Morocco, to serve as information hubs for potential labor migrants.
• There is a strong political link between the opening of legal migration paths and the acceleration of returns; the government views these as the 'two poles' of a balanced policy, which may limit opportunities for countries in West and Central Africa that are reluctant to cooperate on repatriations.
• Repatriation rates for African nationals (excluding Southern Africa) from the EU have remained low, staying below 20% over the last decade, meaning fewer than one in five people subject to a return decision actually return.
• The appointment of a Special Representative for Migration Agreements, Joachim Stamp, signals a focus on partnerships with countries of origin, though proposals to process asylum applications in North African countries have drawn criticism as a return to older, controversial ideas.
• Despite the policy shift, significant barriers remain for African migrants, including strict requirements for qualification recognition, German language skills, and overloaded consular capacities at embassies in Ghana and Nigeria.
• Germany has distinguished itself from other European partners by investing in continental and regional freedom of movement in Africa, supporting organizations such as the African Union (AU) and IGAD.

APA

Arhin-Sam, K., & Fakhry, A. (2023). Die neue deutsche Migrationspolitik und ihre Auswirkungen auf afrikanische Partnerländer. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/de/die-neue-deutsche-migrationspolitik-und-ihre-auswirkungen-auf-afrikanische-partnerlaender

Chicago

Arhin-Sam, Kwaku, and Alia Fakhry. Die neue deutsche Migrationspolitik und ihre Auswirkungen auf afrikanische Partnerländer. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2023. https://afripoli.org/de/die-neue-deutsche-migrationspolitik-und-ihre-auswirkungen-auf-afrikanische-partnerlaender.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Arhin-Sam |first1=Kwaku |last2=Fakhry |first2=Alia |title=Die neue deutsche Migrationspolitik und ihre Auswirkungen auf afrikanische Partnerländer |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=15 May 2023 |url=https://afripoli.org/de/die-neue-deutsche-migrationspolitik-und-ihre-auswirkungen-auf-afrikanische-partnerlaender |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{arhinsam2023die, author = {Arhin-Sam, Kwaku and Fakhry, Alia}, title = {{Die neue deutsche Migrationspolitik und ihre Auswirkungen auf afrikanische Partnerländer}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://afripoli.org/de/die-neue-deutsche-migrationspolitik-und-ihre-auswirkungen-auf-afrikanische-partnerlaender}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }