Reflecting on 20 Years of Partnership at the GIZ Africa Department Leadership Conference

This October, we had the privilege of co-hosting the GIZ Africa Department Leadership Conference (FÜKO) in Addis Ababa. The gathering brought together GIZ country directors from across Africa and senior managers of GIZ’s Africa Department. This event held particular significance as it coincided with the celebration of 20 years of partnership with the African Union.

During the conference, we had the honour of reflecting on our two-decade journey with Dr Petra Warnecke, Director-General of the GIZ Africa Department. We also reconnected with Dr Inge Baumgarten, the former Director of GIZ African Union and the current Country Director for GIZ Togo.

“Over the last 20 years, Germany has supported the African Union with more than EUR 1 billion to deliver results for sustainable development and regional integration.”, noted Dr Warnecke. She further emphasised that this 20-year cooperation is just the beginning of a promising future.

Dr Baumgarten, reflecting warmly on her four years at the GIZ African Union, highlighted the tangible outcomes of the partnership, which are evident in countries like Togo, where she now leads GIZ efforts. “Our combined expertise and network […] are so important. Working with the African Union, it was a privilege to be in that position and to shape the partnership between GIZ, representing Germany, and the African Union, representing the interests of its member states.”, she remarked.