Germany’s changing Africa agenda

The document details Germany's shift from a marginal interest in Africa during the Cold War to a more active partnership approach starting in 1998. It highlights the transition from a 'watering can' aid model to targeted support for a limited number of countries, emphasizing poverty reduction and sustainable development. Economic ties are characterized by a concentration of foreign direct investment in Libya, Egypt, and South Africa, while political engagement includes support for the G8 Africa Action Plan and NEPAD. The report specifically examines the 'strategic partnership' with South Africa, noting significant bilateral trade and investment in the automotive and chemical sectors. It also outlines Germany's security contributions through UN-mandated operations and its internal economic challenges, such as high unemployment, which influence its international agenda.

• Africa's role in German foreign policy was minor until 1998, during which time it was often used to serve other ideological goals of the Cold War.
• Following reunification, Germany initially reduced its engagement with Africa, cutting the number of aid recipients from 118 to 70 in May 2000 and reducing the number of eligible sub-Saharan states from 47 to 21.
• Starting in September 1998, the red-green coalition revived Germany's role as a partner to Africa, increasing bilateral net ODA disbursements to 925.03 million in 2001 and 1,069 million in 2002.
• Germany shifted its aid strategy from a 'watering can' approach to concentrating support on a few countries; in 2002, Mozambique, Egypt, Cameroon, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda accounted for 38.25% of all German aid to Africa.
• German foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa is highly concentrated, with Libya, Egypt, and South Africa accounting for 93% of German FDI in Africa in 2002.
• Germany and South Africa maintain a 'strategic partnership' characterized by strong economic links, with Germany being South Africa's largest supplier of imports (R38,451 million in 2003) and second-largest purchaser of exports to Europe (R18,071 million in 2003).
• Germany's security engagement in Africa includes UN-mandated operations in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, as well as maritime patrols off the Horn of Africa.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (n.d.). Germany’s changing Africa agenda. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_germany_country_report.pdf

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Germany’s changing Africa agenda. n.d. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_germany_country_report.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Germany’s changing Africa agenda |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_germany_country_report.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairsndgermanys, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Germany’s changing Africa agenda}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/euaf_rep_germany_country_report.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }