Advising companies on long-term commitment in developing countries and emerging economies

Project description

Title: Business Scouts for Development Network
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)​​​​​​​
Country: Around 30 selected countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America/the Caribbean and Europe​​​​​​​
Partner: Economic umbrella organisations in Germany, industry associations, German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs), Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs), foundations, social partners​​​​​​​
Overall term: 2021 to 2024

Logo of the Business Scouts for Development Programme

Context

Companies play an important role in ensuring that a country can develop and that the economy can undergo socio-ecological transformation. They create jobs, secure incomes and drive innovations.

However, the resources, networks and knowledge required to harness expertise and new technologies are often lacking locally. The German Government has therefore developed support and financing opportunities to facilitate long-term economic commitment in its partner countries.

Carpenter Eve Zalwango in her workshop in Kampala, Uganda. Together with a woman carpenter from Germany, she has initiated a project via BSfD to promote women in trades and crafts. © GIZ

Objective

Local, German and European companies and economic institutions are more closely networked. They implement joint projects that open up access to new markets and promote an inclusive socio-ecological economy.

The cooperation network of the Business Scouts for Development programme.

Approach

The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) provides a network of development cooperation experts to the private sector in around 30 countries – Business Scouts for Development.

In Germany, they advise companies directly via associations within the private sector, Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs), Chambers of Skilled Crafts (HWKs), federal state associations, social partners and foundations. In the project countries, they work with German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) and German business delegations and are integrated into German development cooperation.

The Business Scouts have a liaison function: they are familiar with the needs of the private sector and know the local conditions and regulatory requirements in the countries. The network develops innovative approaches and can initiate specific cooperation projects. The Business Scouts’ work focuses in particular on topics that support the German Government’s development policy objectives:

  • Climate, energy, environment, hydrogen
  • Sustainable supply chain management
  • Digitalisation
  • Gender equality and diversity
  • Health
  • Technical and vocational education and training
  • Crafts
  • Agribusiness and the food industry

Last update: June 2023

Additional information

Programme information

Priority and focus topics

Rwanda

Uganda

Cambodia

Senegal

Ethiopia

Côte d’Ivoire

Namibia