OPINION: 'The German chancellor doubtless managed to strike the right note,' says DW's Head of Africa ClausStaecker about Olaf Scholz's first visit to Africa. Despite Angela Merkel being 'a tough act to follow,' he concludes that the trip was a success.
, currently mired in political crisis. Business matters topped the agenda on the final day of his tour in in South Africa, a strategic ally in the G20 and a hub for German companies based in Africa.
Scholz's hosts will have appreciated that his visit to the continent took place just months after he took office, and amid a global crisis, whereas Merkel only visited two years into her tenure as chancellor. That he chose to head to Africa rather than China, South America — not to mention Ukraine — did not go unnoticed. Listening and striking the right noteand relished Berlin's sudden interest in African pipelines, gas reserves and deepwater ports for sustainable hydropower projects.
Ahead of the visit, the Scholz delegation had spelt out its determination to listen to what its partners want. And what they want is a lot — from military and training missions, solar power plants and technology transfer to support in dealing with the fallout from COVID-19 and military conflicts,For Africa, Germany's significance pales in comparison to China, Russia, India and other countries.
taking place in Schloss Elmau in the Bavarian Alps in June, but with India, Indonesia and Argentina also set to attend as guest countries, it was little more than a friendly gesture.Ultimately, what Scholz will have gained from the trip is a greater understanding of the neighboring continent. The war in Ukraine puts a new strain on Germany's ties to Africa but also brings new opportunities. In a new bipolar world, African countries would not necessarily be allies.
And the German chancellor doubtless managed to strike the right note in addressing those partnerships. His understated northern German style is by no means dazzling, and no one on the trip mentioned any plans to name a school after him. But in the medium-term, his trademark restraint could prove a valuable asset in a turbulent world.