The African Union (AU) and the Federal Republic of Germany reaffirmed their enduring partnership for sustainable development, peace, and prosperity in Africa during the AU–Germany Negotiations on Development Cooperation, held on 6–7 November 2025 at the African Union Commission Headquarters in Addis Ababa. Germany committed an additional €88 million in funding to support AU-led priorities aligned with Agenda 2063, focusing on sustainable economic development, green energy and infrastructure, peace and security, and health. This renewed commitment builds on more than two decades of collaboration, reinforcing Germany’s role as a reliable and strategic partner for the continent.
The negotiations emphasized shared priorities and the collective ambition to accelerate impactful development outcomes across Africa. In sustainable economic development and trade, Germany reaffirmed support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), with a focus on empowering the private sector, particularly SMEs, to drive job creation, industrialization, and intra-African trade. In green energy and infrastructure, Germany pledged continued support for AU flagship initiatives, including the Africa Single Electricity Market (AfSEM) and the Continental Power System Masterplan, aiming to establish a unified, reliable, and sustainable power market.
Germany’s engagement in peace and security will prioritize structural conflict prevention, addressing the climate-peace-security nexus, and strengthening the leadership of women, youth, and civil society in peacebuilding. In health security, the AU and Germany, in partnership with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), will advance a robust continental health security system that is equitable, responsive, and future-ready.
Ms. Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, highlighted the strategic and political importance of Africa to Germany, noting the long-standing partnership rooted in mutual respect and shared responsibility. AU representatives, led by H.E. Ambassador Fathallah Sijilmassi, underscored the significance of the biannual consultations as a platform to assess progress, strengthen joint action, and ensure measurable impact aligned with Agenda 2063.
Germany has been a key AU partner since 2004, providing technical assistance and financial support through agencies such as GIZ and KfW Development Bank. Regular development cooperation dialogues and Joint Financing Arrangements have strengthened institutional capacity and programme delivery, with Germany committing over €1 billion to the AU to date. The next AU-Germany negotiations are scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in 2027, continuing the strategic partnership for sustainable development and continental integration.
