Africa Economic Forum 2026: HNU and the Ulm Chamber of Commerce and Industry Highlight Opportunities in Africa’s Emerging Markets

The growing importance of Africa for the regional economy was already evident in the opening remarks: Günther Schmid, Head of the Foreign Trade Division at the Baden-Württemberg Ministry of Economic Affairs, Labor, and Tourism, highlighted the increasing strategic role of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, raw materials, and industrial development. Amir Alizadeh of the Ulm Chamber of Commerce and Industry emphasized that numerous companies from the region are already successfully operating in Sub-Saharan Africa: Examples such as Liebherr, the Zimmermann PV-Steel Group, KTI Plersch, and the Schwenk Group demonstrate that Africa has long been a significant growth market for companies from the Ulm and Biberach region.

“Africa Is Today’s Market”

H.E. Eskindir Yirga Asfaw, Ambassador of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, emphasized in his opening remarks that Africa should not be viewed solely as a market of the future. With a young population, a growing middle class, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the continent already boasts one of the largest integrated markets in the world. What matters most, he said, is not just investment, but long-term partnerships on an equal footing. “We are not looking for investors; we are looking for partners,” the ambassador emphasized.

Felix Guntermann from the Africa Business Network and Thomas Derstadt from the Import Promotion Desk demonstrated how companies can receive concrete support when entering African markets. They presented consulting and funding opportunities as well as matchmaking programs for companies.

Skilled Workforce Partnerships Require a Long-Term Perspective

During the first panel discussion, Henning Post (Krones West Africa), Hans Posthumus (Bluekazi Group), and Edith Otiende-Lawani (GAaNF e.V.) discussed the recruitment and training of skilled workers for the German labor market and investments in African countries. A key insight was that successful skilled-worker partnerships do not emerge overnight but require long-term investments in education, practical training, and mutual trust. Technical skills, quality awareness, and practical experience are just as crucial as local teams, intercultural preparation, and relationships built over the long term. The panelists also emphasized the need to align training programs more closely with the demands of the labor market and to view integration as a mutual process.

Succeeding in Africa: Listening Instead of Prejudice

During the second panel discussion, Pamela Amann (Hydi Innovation), Victoria Gathogo (World Food Programme), Dr. Kamau Gachigi (Gearbox Makerspace Nairobi), Johann Heidecker (Zimmermann PV-Steel Group), and Marc-André Fischer (BetriebSystem) shared their experiences in African markets. It became clear that the African continent cannot be viewed as a single market, but rather consists of 54 economies with varying opportunities and conditions. The panelists emphasized that innovations should be developed in collaboration with local partners and that Africa must increasingly be recognized as a hub for industrial value creation, production, and innovation. Sustainable economic success is based above all on trust, long-term partnerships, and careful market analysis. Openness, cultural sensitivity, and a willingness to listen to one another were cited as key success factors.

HNU Presents Research Collaborations in the Field of Digital Health

Bruno Backes from the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry for East Africa (AHK Eastern Africa) and Danilla van Jaarsveldt (AHK Southern Africa) provided a concise overview of current economic developments and business opportunities in their respective regions. As part of the so-called “Deep Dive Stations,” participants were then able to explore specific business opportunities and cooperation projects in greater depth. Claudia Schmidt from AHK Morocco provided information on market opportunities in North Africa. Bruno Backes, Dr. Kamau Gachigi, and Hans Posthumus presented concrete experiences from East Africa using case studies and discussed success factors for market entry and the establishment of sustainable partnerships. Another key focus was the digitalization of the healthcare sector. Dr. Felix Holl and Henrik Hülsmann from the Africa Institute, together with Dr. Wallace Karuguti and Philip Oyier from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), presented current cooperation projects and approaches for digital health solutions.

Strong response and intensive exchange

During the networking session that followed, participants took the opportunity to make connections and engage in more in-depth discussions with the speakers. The Africa 2026 Economic Forum made it clear: Africa has long been a significant economic and innovation partner. Companies that think long-term, build local partnerships, and understand the diversity of African markets can benefit from the dynamic developments on the continent. The enthusiastic response to the event underscored the regional business community’s growing interest in more intensive cooperation with African partners.