Energiekooperation zwischen Afrika und Deutschland: Entwicklung, Diplomatie, Transformation

This research paper analyzes the evolving energy relations between Germany and Africa, noting a shift from traditional development cooperation toward a broader approach combining energy diplomacy, foreign policy, and technical cooperation. The author highlights a tension between Germany's commitment to a 'just transition' and its strategic interests in securing both renewable energy (particularly green hydrogen) and fossil fuel imports to ensure energy security.

• Historically, German-African energy relations were limited to development cooperation, focusing on energy poverty and rural development. Between 2002 and 2020, Germany committed 3.61 billion USD in development financing for energy supply in Sub-Saharan Africa, with the majority of funds directed toward South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mozambique.
• The current German government (the 'Ampelkoalition') is pursuing a more comprehensive cooperation model that integrates energy diplomacy, foreign policy, development cooperation, and technical cooperation. This approach aims to strengthen green financial flows, energy partnerships, and urban sustainability through a commitment to a 'just transition'.
• German energy diplomacy in Africa is characterized by two competing interests: the promotion of renewable energy (such as solar, wind, and hydrogen partnerships) and the diversification of fossil fuel sources to reduce dependence on Russian gas, specifically through the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and the construction of new terminals.
• There is a trend toward the 'financialization' of development projects, where renewable energy initiatives are prioritized based on investor returns and marketability rather than development goals like poverty reduction. This leads to the exclusion of high-risk conflict regions such as Zimbabwe or the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
• Hydrogen partnerships are strategically critical for decarbonizing German heavy industry, but they risk repeating neocolonial patterns by treating the Global South as 'disposable spaces' (Verfügungsräume). Risks include land grabbing, water scarcity, and unfair working conditions, particularly in water-stressed countries like Niger or Burkina Faso.
• The author recommends anchoring 'energy justice' as a standard clause in bilateral Memoranda of Understanding to ensure distributive, procedural, and recognition justice. Additionally, the use of a 'hydrogen value chain' approach and the German Supply Chain Act could prevent a 'race to the bottom' regarding social and environmental standards between competing nations like Angola and Namibia.

APA

Müller, F. (2023). Energiekooperation zwischen Afrika und Deutschland: Entwicklung, Diplomatie, Transformation. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/de/energiekooperation-zwischen-afrika-und-deutschland-entwicklung-diplomatie-transformation

Chicago

Müller, Franziska. Energiekooperation zwischen Afrika und Deutschland: Entwicklung, Diplomatie, Transformation. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2023. https://afripoli.org/de/energiekooperation-zwischen-afrika-und-deutschland-entwicklung-diplomatie-transformation.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Müller |first1=Franziska |title=Energiekooperation zwischen Afrika und Deutschland: Entwicklung, Diplomatie, Transformation |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=7 June 2023 |url=https://afripoli.org/de/energiekooperation-zwischen-afrika-und-deutschland-entwicklung-diplomatie-transformation |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mller2023energiekooperation, author = {Müller, Franziska}, title = {{Energiekooperation zwischen Afrika und Deutschland: Entwicklung, Diplomatie, Transformation}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2023}, month = jun, url = {https://afripoli.org/de/energiekooperation-zwischen-afrika-und-deutschland-entwicklung-diplomatie-transformation}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }