Preliminary Program

As Africa’s markets undergo rapid transformation, business leaders face both unprecedented opportunities and challenges. In this panel, four visionary CEOs — will explore how businesses across Africa can navigate shifting dynamics to fuel sustainable growth. From transformative technologies to new regulatory landscapes, this discussion will highlight strategies for leveraging global trends to explore the potential of key sectors of German African business relations. Join this panel to discover how corporations and emerging small-and medium-sized companies (SMEs) shape the continent’s business horizon in 2024 and beyond.

Modernizing financing instruments involves creating tailored financial solutions that meet the unique needs of African markets, such as blended finance, impact investing, and de-risking mechanisms like guarantees and insurances. Enhancing access to credit, venture capital, and digital financial services will empower entrepreneurs and reduce entry barriers. Additionally, establishing joint African German investment funds and innovation hubs can support start-ups and SMEs, while promoting capacity building and knowledge exchange to drive sustainable business growth. By aligning financing tools with the realities of African markets and addressing risk perceptions, African German business activities can be significantly boosted.

The discussion will focus on how German African partnerships can foster mutual growth, enabling African agricultural businesses to scale up while meeting the demands of global markets. This panel brings together thought leaders, business executives, and policymakers from Africa and Germany to explore the transformative potential of agribusiness in Africa. With a focus on improving agricultural productivity and ensuring equitable participation in international supply chains, the discussion will delve into critical challenges and opportunities facing African agribusiness today.

Key topics include:

• Leveraging technology and innovation to increase productivity
• Strengthening partnerships between African agribusinesses and international markets
• Addressing trade barriers and improving market access for African agricultural products
• The role of policy in fostering cross-continental collaboration and unlocking the full potential of Africa’s agricultural sector on the global stage.

Join us for an in-depth conversation on how collaborative efforts can unlock new
opportunities for African agribusinesses and fuel sustainable growth globally.

The panel will explore the development of green hydrogen projects across Africa, emphasizing the continent’s vast renewable energy potential. Experts from both the public and private sectors will discuss how Africa’s geothermal, wind, and solar resources can be leveraged to produce green hydrogen and its derivatives for agricultural and industrial applications as well as export. The discussion will cover the entire project development lifecycle, from renewable energy integration to the establishment of hydrogen production facilities. Additionally, the panel will highlight case studies of ongoing projects in Africa, best practices for scaling hydrogen solutions, and strategies for supporting agricultural and industrial growth, decarbonization in Africa, and the export of hydrogen and its derivatives to Germany.

As Africa’s automotive industry evolves under the AfCFTA framework, this panel will explore the critical steps needed to enhance value chain development and mineral transformation. Experts from the German and African automotive sectors will provide insights into driving local production, fostering investments, and unlocking the continent’s potential. Join this session to gain actionable strategies for shaping the future of Africa’s automotive industry and positioning your business for success in this rapidly transforming market.

This panel will explore innovative strategies for water and wastewater management emphasizing African German synergies. Experts from both regions will tackle key challenges and opportunities in ensuring clean drinking water and upgrading infrastructure for resilient water distribution systems. The discussion will also address the enhancement of water use in agricultural, commercial, industrial, and residential contexts. By examining impactful case studies and pioneering technologies, the session aims to forge partnerships that drive sustainable and scalable strategies for economic development and environmental stewardship across both regions.

This panel explores the transformative potential of healthcare technology, focusing on digital health records, telemedicine, and remote diagnostics. Experts will discuss how collaborative projects in healthcare technology are addressing public health challenges through digital solutions. The session will highlight the role of innovative financing models in driving healthcare projects and the significance of public-private partnerships in enhancing healthcare infrastructure. By bringing together diverse stakeholders, this panel aims to uncover strategies for improving healthcare access, quality, and affordability through technology and collaborative efforts in both public and private
sectors.

In today’s rapidly changing economic environment, the financing landscape is undergoing a significant transformation. This session will explore the diverse array of financing options available to businesses, from traditional bank loans to trade finance and impact investment and government support programs. Join this session to learn how different financing models are shaping business opportunities in Africa.

This session explores how female empowerment can spur social, economic, and political transformation as well as sustainable development. Compared to other continents, Africa has the highest rate of female entrepreneurs in the world. Nearly every fourth African woman starts her own business. However, their influence is often limited to small engagements on a local level and unfavorable structural conditions prevent their businesses from growing. We discuss what works to create an enabling environment in which women can rise and lift their industries and economies.

The African creative industry is booming and generating big wins for the corporate world. May it be music, art or fashion the influence of African culture is undeniable. Known for its rich cultural heritage, diverse talent, and dynamic storytelling, Africa’s creative industry is no longer only a way of cultural expression but has become a significant driver of economic growth and job creation. The continent’s youthful population, increasing digital connectivity, and growing global interest in African art and culture position it as a hub of untapped potential. Engineering for sustainable clothing, fibre production, music and film equipment, logistics and more – a lot of options for German companies to join this booming sector.

This panel will explore innovative strategies to address critical skills shortages in key industries through African German cooperation. Experts from Africa and Germany will discuss how partnerships in education, vocational training, and workforce development can empower the next generation of talent. By aligning skills development with the demands of emerging sectors like IT, manufacturing, renewable energy and hospitality, the discussion will highlight how joint initiatives can foster sustainable growth, reduce unemployment, and unlock economic potential. Attendees will gain insights into the role of cross-border collaboration in building a highly skilled workforce ready to meet the challenges of the future.

Innovations and new technologies are shaping Africa. Digitalization will make a significant contribution to connecting the entire African population. It can therefore become a decisive vehicle for German companies that want to become more engaged on the African continent: The digital infrastructure will define how Africans will pay across borders in the future, how goods will find their way from the supplier to the buyer and thus break down the physical barriers to intra-African trade.

The transformation of the German economy requires a stable, reliable and sustainable supply of raw materials. The African continent is rich in such raw materials and open for cooperation in the sector. Germany and the European Union have already entered cooperations and partnership agreements with African countries, such as Kenya, Ghana, Namibia, Zambia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. Mutually, the African countries are eager to benefit from cooperation and want to enhance their trade and position in the value chain. Thus, these agreements and further cooperation can also mean advances in industrialization, markets and new technologies. However, Germany and the EU are not alone in the race for raw materials.