History

Putting Africa on the Map

Under the auspice of former Chancellor Helmut Kohl SAFRI was born in May 1996 as an impulse carried by three central German business associations namely:  the German-African Business Association (Afrika-Verein), the Federation of German Industries (BDI) and the German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK).

Soon after the end of colonial rule England and France embarked on strategic economic-political relations with Africa. German industry e.g. todays Daimler AG also established its presence on the continent. It was only after the end of apartheid however that Dr. Kohl directed the gaze of German foreign policy and especially foreign economic-politics on Africa, firmly determined to place Africa back on the German economic-political map. With this determination the cornerstone for political, economic and social cooperation between Germany and the SADC (Southern African Development Community) region was laid

Africa on the Move

In October 1997 SAFRI under the chairmanship of Professor Dr. hc Jürgen E. Schrempp organized a landmark conference in collaboration with the Secretariat of the Southern African Development Community (SADC) in Windhoek, Namibia. The conference marked the private sector as the primary driving force for sustainable development on the African continent. The outcome document of the conference,  the "Declaration of Windhoek" defined goals of cooperation between entrepreneurs from Germany and the SADC countries and formulated a desirable framework for cooperation between Germany and the southern African region. As such the document represents the founding document of SAFRI. SAFRI committed to directing the attention of the German financial sector and business processes to the needs of the private sector in the SADC region. In addition, SAFRI undertook to act as a facilitator for human resource development and capacity building in the region. The ‘Declaration of Windhoek’ set the focused cooperation between Germany and the SADC in motion.

Africa on the Rise

With the ‘Declaration of Windhoek’ as a foundation stone, SAFRI and the German financial sector have actively been engaging in various projects in and for the SADC region in recent years. Indeed our valued Journey to Excellence Program (J2Ex) and the well-established Students Experience Programme (STEP) have their roots in the early needs analyses.

In early 2007, Chancellor Angela Merkel pointed out in an interview with SAFRI that Germany is to set new priorities, particularly with regard to private investment in Africa and the economic integration of the continent. As G8 - Presidential Chair, Chancellor Merkel stressed that the relationship between the G8 and Africa needs to be developed on as a reform partnership. With "I would be happy if more and more companies would join the SAFRI initiative" the German Chancellor endorsed the work of SAFRI in and for Germany and Southern Africa.

In the preparatory periods leading up to the 2010 World Cup the possibilities that the event could provide for the German economy was an importantpoint of discussion surrounding foreign and economic policy. With "Do not wait until 2010. Come now! Our doors are open" the South African Deputy President Mlambo-Ngcuka challenged German entrepreneurs.

Millions of people watched the World Cup in 2010 on television and received colourful impressions of life in southern Africa almost as an afterthought. Investment as a result of the World Cup in infrastructure, logistics and tourism has affected not only the Republic of South Africa but also its neighbouring countries in the SADC region positively.

In recent years, record levels of foreign direct investment have been directed at Southern Africa. In many fields lucrative and rewarding areas of activity continue to beckon and indeed are compelling investors to make their mark: power generation and mining, water and electricity industries, telecommunications, transportation, agriculture and tourism. It stands clear:  Southern Africa is on the rise.