German-African Business Summit 2024 in Nairobi: Strengthening German-African Economic Relations

Sabine Sibler (centre) with partners and representatives of the GWP membership at the GABS 2024 in Nairobi © GWP

The 5th German-African Business Summit (GABS) was held in Nairobi, Kenya from December 2 to 4, 2024. The summit established a significant forum for the exchange of representatives from the economy and politics of Germany and Africa. Around 600 guests from both continents came together to strengthen German-African economic relations and to develop approaches for solving current and future challenges.

The summit was not only a platform for dialogue but also for concrete cooperation and partnerships. Among the prominent participants was Dr. Robert Habeck, Vice Chancellor and Minister for Economic Affairs of the Federal Government of Germany. His engagement is an example of the hopes the Federal Government places in the economic relations between Germany and Africa.

Africa Activities of the German Water Partnership

Panel discussion, topic: Water and Circulation management at the GABS 2024 © GWP
Panel discussion, topic: Water and Circulation management at the GABS 2024 © GWP

The engagement of the German Water Partnership (GWP) in Africa is diverse and aims at the exchange of knowledge and cooperation in the field of water and wastewater management to strengthen the achievement of SDG 6. Through regional forums in Africa and North Africa, GWP promotes business initiation for German organizations in African markets. They participate in trade fairs and organize trips, such as conferences, to better access new markets.

Central to this is the partnership with the African Water and Sanitation Association (AfWASA) and the German-African Partnership for Water and Sanitation (GAPWAS), which is promoted by the Ministry of Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ). This partnership contributes to building trust in German products and promotes German-made know-how. The aim is to strengthen AfWASA as an association and foster networking among the partners. GAPWAS offers its members the opportunity to exchange experiences and participate in technical training. The online format “Ask the Experts” recently reached its tenth edition and regularly attracts around 100 participants.

Additionally, the Partner Africa project, which promotes the establishment of a pan-African African Water and Sanitation Academy (AWASA), actively fosters cooperation between GWP members and African partners. This academy will educate professionals in the water sector and offers German organizations the opportunity to introduce themselves in professional training.

Through close cooperation with African partners, GWP promotes the exchange of technologies and know-how, contributing to building trust for tomorrow’s customers and sustainable solutions made in Germany.

German-African Cooperation in Water Management and Circular Economy

As an important player in promoting German-African economic relations and a partner in the establishment and further development of sustainable water management in Africa, GWP was represented at the GABS in Kenya at the beginning of December. Sabine Sibler, a long-term expert from GWP, as well as numerous GWP members, participated in the summit. Water management was one of the main topics of discussion. The challenges of water supply and sanitation in Africa – especially in the context of drought and climate change – provide economic opportunities for collaboration.

Panel discussion, topic: Water and Circulation management at the GABS 2024 © GWP

In addition, the development of local value chains and the promotion of sustainable, future-oriented solutions were on the agenda, topics that GWP and its members are actively driving forward. In the panel discussion “Water Management and Circular Economy: How Can African-German Collaboration Drive Innovation in the Transformation of Water and Wastewater Management?”, Sabine Sibler discussed innovative solutions for water and wastewater management in the context of the circular economy with Belete Matebe, Managing Director of Wilo East Africa, Leiro Letangule, Director/CEO of the Kenya Water Institute (KWI), and Eng. Lucy Wanjiku, Engineering Director at Ecocycle. The focus of the discussion was on the cooperation between Germany and Africa. The panel highlighted the main problems of the African water sector, with a regional focus on Kenya. These challenges include significant water losses, insufficient water and sanitation, especially in rural areas, as well as a lack of new approaches to effectively address these long-standing issues.

GABS as a Catalyst for Sustainable Development?

The GABS 2024 is another step in deepening cooperation between Germany and Africa. The event was organized locally by the German Business Delegation for East Africa (AHK Kenya). The summit was launched by the Sub-Saharan Africa Initiative of the German Economy (SAFRI), a joint initiative of the German Chamber of Industry and Commerce (DIHK), the Federation of German Industry (BDI), the Federal Association of German Wholesale and Foreign Trade (BGA), and the Africa Association of the German Economy (Afrika-Verein der Deutschen Wirtschaft).

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