German Chancellor Olaf Scholz is embarking on a three-day visit to East Africa, which will include stops in Ethiopia and Kenya. Scholz's visit will include a business delegation and a range of discussions with regional leaders. The trip is significant, as it marks Scholz's second official visit to Africa as Chancellor and comes as the West seeks to increase its influence in the region.
According to German government officials, the Chancellor will meet with the prime minister and the interim leader of the Tigray region in Ethiopia to discuss progress in ensuring peace after a two-year war that killed tens of thousands of people. He will also meet with the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, to discuss economic cooperation, global challenges such as climate change, and the latest developments in Sudan.
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In Kenya, Scholz will meet with President Uhuru Kenyatta to discuss trade and other issues. He will also visit Lake Naivasha, home to Africa's largest geothermal plant, which is a key component of Kenya's plans for producing green hydrogen.
Speaking on the potential for cooperation on green hydrogen, German officials played down the possibility of an imminent deal, with one official stating that the visit aims to “strengthen” Kenya's leadership in climate protection and renewables. The German development agency GIZ will hold a forum on the topic during the visit, within the framework of Germany's long-standing energy partnership that derives 90% of its power from renewable sources.
“Kenya is a leader on the African continent on climate protection and renewables and has enormous convening power, so the Chancellor's visit also aims to strengthen that,” the official added. The officials also noted that Kenya's interest in producing green hydrogen was for fertilizer production, but that the country could potentially export it to Germany in the future if supply was extensive.
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Scholz's visit to East Africa comes at a time when the West is increasingly seeking to boost its influence and trade worldwide, particularly in light of the growing power of China. As such, the trip is an opportunity for the Chancellor to strengthen Germany's relationships with key African nations and to demonstrate the country's commitment to global challenges such as climate change and peacebuilding.
In an interview prior to his departure, Scholz emphasized the importance of engaging with Africa, stating that “Africa is a continent with great opportunities and potential for the future. Germany is ready to engage in partnerships with African countries to shape the future together.”
