Germany

Background

Germany joined the African Development Bank (AfDB) Group in 1983. The Bank and Germany signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2005. Both partners intend to reinforce their cooperation through a more systematic programme of joint activities and regular dialogue at the management level. However, bilateral relations between Germany and the Bank date back to 1975.  The AfDB mainly collaborates with the German Technical Co-operation (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit - GTZ) and the German Bank for Reconstruction (Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau - KfW).

German development cooperation with Africa focuses on poverty reduction, water, governance and the promotion of the private sector. Cross-cutting issues like the environment, gender and capacity development play a major role. Germany has enhanced its commitment to development issues since its EU and G8 Presidency in 2007, including strong advocacy relating to climate change. 

Joint Initiatives

  • Under the German G8 Presidency, Germany initiated the Making Finance Work for Africa (MFW4A) and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) Capacity Building Initiative. The RECs Initiative has been integrated into the NEPAD-IPPF.

Formal agreements and financial contributions

  • A Cooperation Agreement was signed in 2005 between the AfDB and Germany.
  • Germany supports the Making Finance Work for Africa Secretariat hosted by the Bank with a financial contribution of € 0.3 million. Germany will also second an Expert to the Secretariat.
  • Since 2005, through GTZ, Germany has seconded its staff to the Bank. To date, 4 secondees have worked in Strategic Planning, Budgeting, Water, Partnerships and Cooperation Unit and Governance Department. Four more GTZ experts will join the Bank in the following fields: Agri-Business; MFW4A; Capacity Development for RECs in Infrastructure/NEPAD Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (NEPAD-IPPF); and Infrastructure Consortium for Africa (ICA) Secretariat.
  • Germany is, since 2005, funding the first Environment Initiative with a contribution of € 3 million. The Initiative focuses on the Maghreb Region and closely collaborates with the GTZ’s Environment and Climate Change program in Tunisia.
  • Germany agreed to contribute € 2 million to support the RECs Initiative.

Focal point for the AfDB-Germany partnership and cooperation

Veronica Giardina
Senior Cooperation Officer
Partnerships and Cooperation Unit (ORRU)
Email: v.giardina@afdb.org
Tel: (216) 71 10 2519

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