Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 27th May 2016, - The Government of the Federal Republic of Germany has pledged another EUR 55 Million in support of African Union (AU) programmes and joint strategic initiatives, concluding its bilateral negotiations with the African Union (AU) Commission. The focus of this year’s commitment is largely on agricultural development through enhancement of agricultural skills.
This year´s commitment particularly focuses on the support to the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP), which will benefit from additional EUR 29 Million from Germany. The additional contribution mainly supports agricultural technical vocational education and training (TVET) in more than 10 African countries and with a special focus on women.
A new element of the cooperation between the AU and Germany is on the Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA). Germany made an initial pledge of EUR 5 Million in support of the ongoing CFTA preparations and negotiations.
In addition, the AU Commission and Germany agreed to continue to cooperate in the areas of Peace and Security, Good Governance, the Pan African University, and Geothermal Energy, pledging a total amount of EUR 21 Million.
Head of the AUC-Delegation H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha, in his remarks presented on his behalf by H. E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl, Commissioner for Trade and Industry, African Union Commission, lauded the existing bond of partnership between the Federal Republic of Germany, the African Union and Africa as a whole. He particularly recognized Germany role and its support during the migration crisis. H.E Mr. Erastus Mwencha further stated “…Africa is looking forward to further collaboration to facilitate development in key areas, notably, Human resource development, skills development, technical training for women and youth, support in areas of Trade especially the Continental Free Trade Area, Geothermal energy, Peace and Security and the Pan- African University”. The African Union is keen on strengthened ties to further the Africa- Germany relationship.
With the new commitment, overall Germany’s total support to the African Union since the inception of this bilateral cooperation in 2004 exceeds EUR 500 million.
Mr Guenter Nooke, the German Chancellor's Personal Representative for Africa in the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development and Head of the German Delegation stated: “Our interest is that Africa can better address its security challenges and its development agenda. We want to support the African Union in making substantial progress in the political and economic integration of Africa. Economic transformation, skills development and the creation of job opportunities are central to combat poverty and the root causes of forced migration. One central element of what we agreed with the AU Commission today is to jointly do more in the area of agriculture training and development.”
Beyond the financial pledges, the AU will be a key partner in three other key initiatives receiving German support:
- The Land Policy Initiative (LPI), a joint Initiative of AU Commission, UNECA, African Development Bank, with the objective of improving land governance in Africa which is of crucial importance with regards to food security and economic development.
- Germany intend to further support the African Risk Capacity (ARC). As an AU specialised agency, the ARC offers insurance against extreme weather events to AU member states and contributes to address the challenges of draught in Africa.
- Another commitment was made to kick-start the African-German Youth Initiative (AGYI), promoting legal mobility and education through exchange of African and German youth.
- Following the rising levels of migration and extremism particularly among the youth, the role religion plays in radicalization is therefore crucial. AU and Germany agreed to look into a joint initiative on inter-faith and religion, which is key for social transformation.

H.E. Mrs. Fatima Haram Acyl signed the Agreed Minutes on the Negotiations on the Development Cooperation as part of the continued annual political dialogue between the African Union and German government.

Media contact:

Doreen Apollos | Bureau of the Deputy Chairperson|
Tel: +251947362521 | Email- doreenapollos@gmail.com
Esther Azaa Tankou | Ag. Director of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: Yamboue@african-union.org I Tel: +251 911361185
Directorate of Information and Communication | African Union Commission I E-mail: DIC@african-union.org I Website: www.au.int I Addis Ababa | Ethiopia

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