AFRICast Business: 90 Years Afrika-Verein - A review and outlook on German-African Business Cooperation

90 Years German-African Business Association - a reason to
celebrate and time for a review and outlook on German-African
Business cooperation: The current podcast episode brings together
three long-standing Africa experts to: - speak about the historical
responsibility of a country association that was founded in 1934 in
Germany, - discuss whether Germany and Africa are on the right
track towards a sustainable and equitable business partnership and
- identify current topics that play a role in going forward. But
certainly also: to take the opportunity to review the milestones
and achievements of the jubilee: Afrika-Verein der deutschen
Wirtschaft. Sabine Dall’Omo, CEO and Board member at Siemens South
Africa and since 2022 Afrika-Verein's Chairperson brings in more
than 30 years of professional experience, more than 20 years in
Africa and more than 10 years as Afrika-Verein’s board-member. She
ascertains that Afrika-Verein has „shown over the last 90 years
that we are very capable to promote Africa within the German
society, but also specifically in the political arena” and believes
that we can fulfil our mission at least another 90 years: “Together
- Successful - In Africa” H.E. Igor César has not only been
ambassador of the Republic of Rwanda to Germany since 2015 but
currently also represents as dean the group of African ambassadors
in Germany. He sees „no reason why the ambition of Africa is not an
opportunity also for German businesses” and believes that “the
future of German-African business cooperation [is] bright as we
confront global challenges such as climate change, digital
transformation and economic inequality.” For him it may not take a
revolution, just “if you do business with us, you should do
business with us for all of us. Meaning: you are benefiting, we are
benefiting.“ Moderator Ulf-Peter Noetzel was responsible for trade
finance in Africa for Deutsche Bank for many years and now brings
in his expertise and experiences as Senior Advisor to Afrika-Verein
and into this discussion. Three Afrika-Verein members give further
impetus to the discussion: - Rasmus Woermann, Managing Partner of
Afrika-Verein-founding member and trading company C. Woermann is
taking a look at the change in trade flows between Africa and
Germany over the past 90 years. - Martina Biene, Chairperson and
Managing Director for Volkswagen Group South Africa, believes in
the car manufacturer’s expansion and localization on the African
market and values ​​the interdisciplinary networks of Afrika-Verein
in this context. - Thomas Festerling, Founder and CEO of GreenTech
Capital Partner started in 2008 as Start-Up at the German-African
Energy Forum and is now a valued partner in Afrika-Verein’s network
that stands for the successful exchange between traditional
enterprises’ experience and young companies’ innovative ideas.