At the end of the G20 meeting in Johannesburg, Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz formulated two messages that emerged from the summit: “Africa and Europe are neighbours and we need each other.” At the joint press conference with Federal Minister of Finance Lars Klingbeil, the Chancellor focussed on three main topics.

Partnerships, international order and crisis diplomacy

An important goal is to strategically expand the partnerships with Africa, and anyone seeking to invest in the future should look to Africa. The Chancellor emphasised that Germany would be perceived as an important anchor of stability in Africa and that it was important to build on this - also in terms of jobs and value creation in Germany. 

Another aim is to strengthen the international order, which is based on law, rules and reliability. Africa is a “first-class partner” in this regard. Crisis diplomacy was also a recurring theme on the summit agenda. The Chancellor mentioned the efforts to end the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, but also the crises and wars in Africa itself, such as in Sudan.

The most important points in brief: 

• Expanding partnerships: With regard to trade, raw materials and energy policy, the Chancellor believes it is important to intensify partnerships. Because: “Africa is a very young continent with enormous potential,” he emphasised with regard to European investment in jobs and more local value creation in Africa. It is about a long-term, transparent partnership.
• Strengthening the international order: According to Federal Chancellor Merz, the international order must be further strengthened. In a world increasingly characterised by great power interests, this was in Germany's interests. Africa plays a major role in this respect: “Without Africa, there will be no solutions to the major issues of our time,” emphasised the Federal Chancellor.
• Closer cooperation in crisis diplomacy: Merz emphasised how closely he was coordinating with his European partners with regard to the current discussion on ending the war in Ukraine. It is also important that Africa can use its weight to put an end to the Russian aggression in Ukraine. At the same time, we are keeping an eye on the crises and wars in Africa. Germany is one of the most important donors of humanitarian aid on the African continent.

Read the transcript of the press conference here (in German only):