Geopolitik am Horn von Afrika: Regionale Stabilität und externe Akteure (EN)

This research paper examines the evolution of German-African energy relations, tracing the shift from a primary focus on development cooperation and energy poverty to a more complex framework involving energy diplomacy, technology-driven cooperation, and strategic geopolitical interests. The author analyzes the tensions between 'green' and 'fossilist' objectives, the risks associated with the roll-out of hydrogen diplomacy, and the trend toward the financialization of development through multi-stakeholder partnerships.

• Historically, German-African energy relations were primarily framed as development cooperation, focusing on energy poverty and decentralized renewable access. Between 2002 and 2020, Germany provided US$ 3.61 billion in development finance for energy to Sub-Saharan Africa, with the largest recipients being South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mozambique.
• Current German energy diplomacy in Africa is characterized by two conflicting goals: a 'green objective' to lead in renewable energy markets (such as in Kenya, Egypt, South Africa, and Namibia) and a 'fossilist objective' to diversify oil and gas imports, specifically through plans to import liquefied natural gas from Senegal.
• The roll-out of hydrogen diplomacy involves exporting German technology while importing green hydrogen to decarbonize German industry. However, this creates significant socio-ecological risks in African countries, including water scarcity, land-grabbing, and energy-induced displacement, particularly in Namibia.
• There is a trend toward the 'financialisation' of development, where renewable energy projects are increasingly required to be 'bankable' and guarantee a return on investment. This shift prioritizes investor interests over development goals like combating energy poverty and may lead to the avoidance of projects in conflict-prone regions.
• Germany has engaged in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) to support countries with high fossil-fuel dependencies. South Africa was the first partner, receiving US$ 8.5 billion to decarbonize its energy system, with Senegal, India, Vietnam, and Indonesia identified as future partner states.
• The author recommends moving away from traditional import/export dichotomies toward a 'hydrogen value chain' approach. This would treat hydrogen as a Pan-African good for local industrial greening rather than just an export resource, and suggests mainstreaming 'energy justice' and 'hydrogen justice' in diplomatic agreements.

APA

Müller, F. (2023). Geopolitik am Horn von Afrika: Regionale Stabilität und externe Akteure (EN). Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/de/geopolitik-horn-von-afrika-regionale-stabilitaet-en

Chicago

Müller, Franziska. Geopolitik am Horn von Afrika: Regionale Stabilität und externe Akteure (EN). Africa Policy Research Institute, 2023. https://afripoli.org/de/geopolitik-horn-von-afrika-regionale-stabilitaet-en.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Müller |first1=Franziska |title=Geopolitik am Horn von Afrika: Regionale Stabilität und externe Akteure (EN) |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=3 April 2023 |url=https://afripoli.org/de/geopolitik-horn-von-afrika-regionale-stabilitaet-en |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mller2023geopolitik, author = {Müller, Franziska}, title = {{Geopolitik am Horn von Afrika: Regionale Stabilität und externe Akteure (EN)}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2023}, month = apr, url = {https://afripoli.org/de/geopolitik-horn-von-afrika-regionale-stabilitaet-en}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }