By Modupe Gbadeyanka
African leaders are in Berlin, German for this year’s G20 Africa Summit with focus on exploring new investment opportunities in the continent.
Also, participants are meeting to agree on how new incentives for more private‑sector investments, sustainable investments in public infrastructure and economic participation can be created through employment.
The leading economies want to use a conference being held in Berlin on 12 and 13 June under the German G20 Presidency to create new opportunities for sustainable economic growth, investments and stability in Africa.
“Africa has a very high profile in Berlin at the moment,” said Foreign Minister Sigmar Gabriel. Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel has invited representatives of African countries to the conference.
Economic development and population growth in Africa increasingly have a global impact, including on the neighbouring continent of Europe and on Germany. This is why the German Government made Africa one of the priorities of its G20 Presidency.
The German government is endeavouring to boost political and economic stability in Africa through the G20 Africa Partnership. It also aims to minimise the causes of forced and illegal migration and to foster Africa’s responsibility for itself.
Africa is also playing an important role at the Federal Foreign Office this week. Foreign Minister Gabriel met his Malian counterpart Abdoulaye Diop on Monday (12 June) on the margins of the conference. Further high‑level talks are planned.
Gabriel said this exchange is important. “More is needed if we want to take advantage of the opportunities that Africa can offer its people and us Europeans – more unity, more engagement and most importantly, better cooperation between state and society.”
Art is to serve as a role model for politics in this case. A concert at the Federal Foreign Office on Monday will symbolise the links between Europe and Africa. Welcome Africa – Cologne Meets Kenya is the title of a summer concert by Wolfgang Niedecken, founder of Cologne rock band BAP, and Kenyan singer Eric Wainaina.
Both musicians are not only known for their music, but also for their social engagement. Wolfgang Niedecken set up a support programme for former child soldiers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo with the children’s charity World Vision and Eric Wainaina is active in Kenya’s National Integrated Civic Education Programme and other projects.
