Berlin, 24 January 2024 — The Berlin-based think tank Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) launched its high-level discussion series ‘Africa in the World’ with the first event: ‘Reimagining Development Cooperation: Pragmatic Pathways for Africa-German Relations’. The gathering proved timely against the backdrop of a rapidly evolving geopolitical and multipolar landscape in which African countries are mulling how and where to position themselves.

The event featured Germany’s Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Svenja Schulze, as the keynote speaker, along with other experts from Africa and Germany.

Minister Schulze stressed the importance of fostering a respectful and reciprocal partnership in Germany’s plans of development cooperation with Africa. "Especially in light of the global and regional crises, the right answer is not less international cooperation, but more."

Especially in light of the global and regional crises, the right answer is not less international cooperation, but more.

The event included a robust roundtable discussion with a range of experts and policymakers: Hon. Bogolo Joy Kenewendo, economist and former Minister of Investment, Trade and Industry of Botswana, Ahunna Eziakonwa, UNDP Assistant Administrator and Regional Director for Africa, and Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa in the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).

Dr. Olumide Abimbola, Executive Director of APRI, described the forum as "a call to action. It is an opportunity to leverage the strengths of both Germany and Africa, fostering a partnership that goes beyond traditional notions of development cooperation."

It is an opportunity to leverage the strengths of both Germany and Africa, fostering a partnership that goes beyond traditional notions of development cooperation.

The event attracted participants from various sectors, including government, academia, civil society, and media. It was the first iteration of ‘Africa in the World’, APRI’s policy-focused discussion series.

About APRI’s ‘Africa in the World’ High-Level Discussion Series

Each iteration of the series will discuss, debate and underline Africa’s positioning in the world and how stakeholders from the continent are negotiating and managing current and future collaborations with partners around the globe. To that end, events throughout the series will bring together high-level stakeholders from the continent, German policy-makers, civil society and other stakeholders in foreign and development policy.

About APRI

Africa Policy Research Institute (APRI) is a nonpartisan and independent think tank that conducts research on key policy issues affecting Africa and African countries. APRI aims to provide insights to the policy-making processes of Germany and the European Union on African affairs. APRI also offers policy options to African leaders and civil society actors.