Germany’s new migration policy: what the paradigm shift means for African partner countries

The document analyzes Germany's attempt to transition toward a modern immigration country by easing access for qualified workers, particularly from Africa, to address domestic labor shortages of approximately 400,000 immigrants per year. However, the authors argue this shift is undermined by a continued focus on 'return offensives' and the potential externalization of asylum processing. The paper highlights that structural barriers—such as strict skills recognition and limited consular capacity in countries like Ghana and Nigeria—persist, while the linking of legal pathways to readmission cooperation creates tension with West and Central African partners. It also notes a new, though potentially fragmented, focus on the nexus between climate change and migration.

• Germany's economy requires approximately 400,000 immigrants annually to address labor shortages and sustain growth, leading the government to seek a more diverse source of labor from demographically booming regions, including Africa.
• The 'paradigm shift' is characterized by a tension between opening legal pathways for skilled labor and an increased 'return offensive' to accelerate the deportation of those required to leave Germany.
• African migrants face significant structural obstacles to entering the German labor market, including strict requirements for German language proficiency, work experience, and skills recognition, as well as limited visa processing capacity at embassies in Nigeria and Ghana.
• There is a risk that Germany will continue to externalize migration control by processing asylum applications in North African countries, a strategy the authors suggest fails to convince partner countries to cooperate.
• Return rates from the EU to African countries (excluding Southern Africa) have declined over the last decade, remaining below 20 percent, which complicates Germany's goal of linking legal immigration to readmission cooperation.
• Germany has integrated the link between climate change and migration into its Federal Foreign Office and funds research via the Platform on Disaster Displacement, though the authors warn this may remain a 'pet project' without cross-ministerial coordination.
• Germany distinguishes itself from some other European partners by supporting continental free movement initiatives through the African Union (AU) and regional bodies like IGAD.

APA

Arhin-Sam, K., & Fakhry, A. (2023). Germany’s new migration policy: what the paradigm shift means for African partner countries. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/germanys-new-migration-policy-what-the-paradigm-shift-means-for-african-partner-countries

Chicago

Arhin-Sam, Kwaku, and Alia Fakhry. Germany’s new migration policy: what the paradigm shift means for African partner countries. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2023. https://afripoli.org/germanys-new-migration-policy-what-the-paradigm-shift-means-for-african-partner-countries.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Arhin-Sam |first1=Kwaku |last2=Fakhry |first2=Alia |title=Germany’s new migration policy: what the paradigm shift means for African partner countries |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=12 May 2023 |url=https://afripoli.org/germanys-new-migration-policy-what-the-paradigm-shift-means-for-african-partner-countries |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{arhinsam2023germanys, author = {Arhin-Sam, Kwaku and Fakhry, Alia}, title = {{Germany’s new migration policy: what the paradigm shift means for African partner countries}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2023}, month = may, url = {https://afripoli.org/germanys-new-migration-policy-what-the-paradigm-shift-means-for-african-partner-countries}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }