German Chancellor Angela Merkel will
visit Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal as her counterpart from United Kingdom,
Theresa May concludes also her three African country visit.
visit Nigeria, Ghana and Senegal as her counterpart from United Kingdom,
Theresa May concludes also her three African country visit.
May is currently visiting South Africa, Nigeria and Kenya to bolster relations and spur trade and investment.
Similarly Merkel’s trip beginning from Wednesday is to focus on economic issues.
The official reason for her visit is strengthening Africa’s economic development.
“This economic outlook is crucial for
most of the African countries because there are so many young people who
need jobs and training,” Merkel said in her weekly video podcast.
most of the African countries because there are so many young people who
need jobs and training,” Merkel said in her weekly video podcast.
Behind the scenes, however, another topic
has the chancellor on her toes. “It’s obvious that migration will play
an important role,” says Andreas Mehler from the Hamburg-based GIGA
Institute for African Affairs.
has the chancellor on her toes. “It’s obvious that migration will play
an important role,” says Andreas Mehler from the Hamburg-based GIGA
Institute for African Affairs.
Her travel itinerary speaks for itself.
Over 11,000 people from the three countries on her agenda applied for
asylum in Germany in the past year. Only a fraction of the applications
were approved.
Over 11,000 people from the three countries on her agenda applied for
asylum in Germany in the past year. Only a fraction of the applications
were approved.
Around 14,000 nationals from Ghana, Nigeria and Senegal currently live in Germany without official approval to remain.
Yet deportations are difficult and
costly, and according to German authorities, many African embassies are
also dragging their feet over issuing passports for potential returnees.
costly, and according to German authorities, many African embassies are
also dragging their feet over issuing passports for potential returnees.
“We’re pushing for voluntary repatriation
rather than forced returns,” Merkel explained during the Berlin visit
of Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo in February 2018.
rather than forced returns,” Merkel explained during the Berlin visit
of Ghana’s president Nana Akufo-Addo in February 2018.
Akufo-Addo reacted with caution, saying:
“We have to be absolutely certain that the returnees are actually Ghanaian nationals,” he said.
“We have to be absolutely certain that the returnees are actually Ghanaian nationals,” he said.
For Merkel, the West Africa trip is another chance to bring the matter to the table.
In Ghana and Senegal, Germany is already financing so-called centers for migration, jobs and reintegration.
Voluntary returnees are supposed to
receive advice and support upon their return. The opening of a new
center is planned for Nigeria later this year.
receive advice and support upon their return. The opening of a new
center is planned for Nigeria later this year.
The success of these centers is, however, limited. Very few migrants return to their countries of their own free will.
The German government has, therefore,
allegedly resorted to other means. According to the Nigerian government,
Germany has approached them over the idea of bilateral repatriation
agreements.
allegedly resorted to other means. According to the Nigerian government,
Germany has approached them over the idea of bilateral repatriation
agreements.
“They proposed the issuing of travel
documents without the involvement of the Nigerian embassy,” Nigeria’s
foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, told DW at the time. The Nigerian
government, however, refused the offer.
documents without the involvement of the Nigerian embassy,” Nigeria’s
foreign minister, Geoffrey Onyeama, told DW at the time. The Nigerian
government, however, refused the offer.
As in the past, discussion on migration between Merkel and African heads of state will probably be no easy task.
In any case, the African leaders have different solutions to the problem in mind.
“The easiest and fastest way to stem the
tide of this migration is to improve the economy in Nigeria, and Germany
can play a role,” says Nigerian political scientist Garba Kare.
tide of this migration is to improve the economy in Nigeria, and Germany
can play a role,” says Nigerian political scientist Garba Kare.
“There are a lot of incentives in terms
of trade, in terms of grants and aid and other intervention policies
that Germany can give to Nigeria towards ensuring that those hundreds
and thousands of people who usually flood the Mediterranean
and other migrant routes are halted.”
of trade, in terms of grants and aid and other intervention policies
that Germany can give to Nigeria towards ensuring that those hundreds
and thousands of people who usually flood the Mediterranean
and other migrant routes are halted.”
Comments from DW followers on social
media express similar hopes. With over 300 comments, the topic was hotly
debated on the DW Africa Facebook page.
media express similar hopes. With over 300 comments, the topic was hotly
debated on the DW Africa Facebook page.
“Germany is a powerhouse of vocational
and technical education. The chancellor should assist our president in
strengthening that,” wrote Ibarakumo B. Walson.
and technical education. The chancellor should assist our president in
strengthening that,” wrote Ibarakumo B. Walson.
“In Ghana, we want more technical
cooperation from our German partners, ” agreed Masud Issa. “German
support is needed through trade and technology transfer, not aid,” said
Barimah Owusu-Boakye Mensah.
cooperation from our German partners, ” agreed Masud Issa. “German
support is needed through trade and technology transfer, not aid,” said
Barimah Owusu-Boakye Mensah.
This is where Merkel‘s G20 initiative,
“Compact with Africa,” comes in. It plans to make African countries more
attractive for private investors.
“Compact with Africa,” comes in. It plans to make African countries more
attractive for private investors.
Ghana and Senegal have already signed up for it and Nigeria has expressed interest.
The question, says political scientist
Mehler, is whether the G20 programs touch the nerve of the matter. The
effects of the Compact program are expected to be more long-term
solutions rather than quick fixes.
Mehler, is whether the G20 programs touch the nerve of the matter. The
effects of the Compact program are expected to be more long-term
solutions rather than quick fixes.
What awaits Merkel in West Africa may
therefore be the demand for more German support in bringing private
investment to the continent.
therefore be the demand for more German support in bringing private
investment to the continent.
Germany had offered its support last
year, which resulted in very high expectations from African countries.
In practice these developments are much slower: German trade with Africa
has grown only marginally in the past year. Additionally
Germany exports more goods to Africa than it imports.
year, which resulted in very high expectations from African countries.
In practice these developments are much slower: German trade with Africa
has grown only marginally in the past year. Additionally
Germany exports more goods to Africa than it imports.
“The trade balance is still in favor of Germany,” explains Garbe. In Senegal this effect is palpable.
In 2017 the country imported around €117
million ($136 million) worth of goods from Germany and exported only €17
million worth of goods.
million ($136 million) worth of goods from Germany and exported only €17
million worth of goods.
Senegalese businessman Amacodou Diouf
supplies German supermarkets with goods from his country. He doesn’t
believe that this trade ratio will change very soon. “To increase the
trade between the two countries, Senegalese businesses
need to do much more,” he says.
supplies German supermarkets with goods from his country. He doesn’t
believe that this trade ratio will change very soon. “To increase the
trade between the two countries, Senegalese businesses
need to do much more,” he says.
One step towards a stronger business
interest in Africa could, however, emerge from Merkel’s Africa tour — a
delegation of business representatives and potential investors are
coming along with her.
interest in Africa could, however, emerge from Merkel’s Africa tour — a
delegation of business representatives and potential investors are
coming along with her.
