Collaborations

Five programs combine their range of services Achieving more together:

Start of the "Business Scouts for Development"

The Business Scouts for Development have been working for you since January 2021: The development policy experts work at institutions in the business community in Germany and almost 40 other countries. There they advise companies on responsible, development-oriented engagement in developing and emerging countries and draw on an international network that has been established over several years. The aim of the Business Scouts for Development is to offer an international contact structure for companies that are considering new markets and want to get involved in development policy. On behalf of the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), they advise on cooperation offers and funding and financing options for German development cooperation. In order to facilitate market access, they support the economy in around 40 countries worldwide with extensive regional expertise and knowledge of local structures. With the development policy objective of improving living conditions on site, they also support the initiation and implementation of cooperation projects with companies in Germany/Europe and in developing and emerging countries. In this way, sustainable development can be promoted and, together with the economy, jobs and new perspectives can be created..

Built on established relationships

The Business Scouts have already built up their network over many years: The newly launched program, which is being implemented by the German Society for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH, uses the experience and synergies that have resulted from the merger of five predecessors programs. EZ-Scouts, ExperTS, the coordinators of the Global Business Network and the consultants of the "Perspectives Create" and "Skilled Crafts and Trade Network 4 Africa" ​​projects will now continue their successful work together.

Dr Bernhard von der Haar, head of the "Cooperation with Business" group at GIZ, sees clear advantages for everyone involved: “By merging the previous programs, we can expand our development-oriented offer to business and our network. At the same time, we would like to intensify the exchange with companies and the business community and flexibly address their needs and main topics in order to be able to achieve the sustainable development goals. In line with the 2030 Agenda, this is achieved through good interaction between the private sector and development cooperation. It is precisely at this interface that the Business Scouts for Development make an important contribution in order to fully exploit the potential of the cooperation.”

In use across countries and sectors

The consultants of the program work for you at various institutions: In Germany, the Business Scouts work directly with the umbrella organizations of the German economy (e.g. DIHK, BDI, ZDH, BGA), Chambers of Industry and Commerce (IHKs), Chambers of Crafts, industry associations and national associations. In cooperation with Engagement Global, they also advise foundation organizations on development policy issues. In the partner countries, around 30 Business Scouts for Development are employed directly by the foreign chambers of commerce (AHKs) and German business delegations. At other locations in Africa and Asia, experts from the program work in the offices of German development cooperation on site, in close cooperation with the AHKs in the region. The Business Scouts for Development thus bridge the gap between private sector commitment and development cooperation.

Are you interested in getting involved with your company in new markets? Talk to our Business Scout and let us advise you on the possibilities and offers of cooperation with development cooperation that are relevant to you!

The German Desk Sub Sahara Africa serves since its establishment as a focal point for German SMEs and their local trading partners in arranging financing solutions. Through the cooperation of the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Nigeria and Ghana, the German Development and Investment Company (DEG), and Access Bank Sub Sahara Africa, companies benefit from a comprehensive network and combined expertise within the German Desk.

The German Desk offers companies a single source to learn about financing options while being offered suitable financing solutions directly on site. The service spectrum includes amongst others account set-up, trade finance, transaction banking services, credit lines and investment financing for local companies wishing to purchase for example German machinery and equipment.

Local contact person for German companies and their trading partners is German Desk Manager Sebastian Barroso da Fonseca. Being familiar with both business worlds and cultures, he will not only offer support in arranging financial services but also in bridging language and cultural barriers. Feel free to contact him!

Contact us!

German Desk Sub Sahara Africa

Sebastian Barroso da Fonseca

Head of German Desk

12 Adetokunbo Ademola

Lagos, Nigeria

T +234 81 26 33 09 66

sebastian.fonseca@accessbankplc.com

develoPPP.de is aimed at companies that invest in developing and emerging countries and want to make their entrepreneurial commitment sustainable. With develoPPP.de you receive financial and, on request, technical support. The company contributes at least half of the total costs, to which the BMZ contributes up to 200,000 euros. These so-called development partnerships with business can last up to three years and be located in a wide variety of industries and topics - from A for "wastewater management" to Z for "certifications".

As part of develoPPP.de, companies are always cooperating with one of the three public partners who implement the program on behalf of BMZ: DEG - Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH, German Association for International Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH and sequagGmbH. Since the program began in 1999, DEG, GIZ and sequa have carried out more than 1,500 development partnerships with the German and European economies.

How to apply

Four times a year companies can submit expressions of interest in so-called idea competitions at DEG, GIZ or sequa. All German and European companies as well as their subsidiaries in developing and emerging countries can participate.

Development partnerships with business, which have the potential to deliver outstanding development benefits and cover several countries, can be more widely promoted as strategic development partnerships outside the idea competitions.

More information can be found on the website develoPPP.de.

Many migrants in Germany complete an apprenticeship, study or gain professional experience with German employers. Use their knowledge and contacts for your company!

CIM teaches, advises and promotes well-trained professionals who want to return to their country of origin on behalf of the German Federal Government. We support migrants in using their potential in the right place on the ground. In turn, CIM helps your business meet your skilled workers needs.

Services

• recruitment
• Professional support of migrants through information and advice
• Financial support for migrants for up to two years

Your advantages

We quickly and efficiently provide competent specialists with German expertise and intercultural know-how.

You can also use the specialist line in sensitive areas where a German or European specialist would not be accepted.

A Returning Specialist will integrate your business into international networks. The deployment of your Returning Specialist strengthens the economic development of the cooperation country and the local labor market - also in the interest of your company.

More information on the website of CIM

The Alumniportal Deutschland is a community for people who have studied, researched, worked or completed further education in Germany or at a German institution abroad.

Germany alumni are highly qualified and know German culture and language. This makes them important contacts for local companies and organizations.

Register your company or organization for free and use the ad-free Alumniportal Germany

• find qualified employees, experts and contact persons
• Publish orders and job advertisements
• To promote events
• present yourself and make your offers and projects known.

More information on the website of the Alumniportal Deutschland

The AHK Nigeria is the official representative of the SES in Nigeria. We are your local contact and offer you all information about the SES directly in the AHK Nigeria.

Further information can be found here. 

KfW Bankengruppe supports you as an entrepreneur in your internationalization: in your worldwide investments as well as in your export projects and your imports.

DEG, a subsidiary of KfW, is one of Europe's largest development financiers. For over 50 years, it has been financing and structuring investments by private companies in developing and emerging countries. DEG invests in profitable, sustainable development projects in all economic sectors: from agriculture to manufacturing and services to infrastructure.

In the planning phase of a foreign investment, DEG supports companies in creating a sound basis for the investment decision; for example when assessing local partners. DEG is represented at 13 locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and can also rely on KfW's network.

For the financing of foreign investments, DEG offers tailor-made long-term financing in the form of loans, guarantees, mezzanine financing and equity investments. Grants may be provided for feasibility studies and pilot projects, for example. In addition, DEG supports accompanying measures.

In the planning phase of a foreign investment, DEG supports companies in creating a sound basis for the investment decision; for example when assessing local partners. DEG is represented at 13 locations in Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America and can also rely on KfW's network.

The AHK Nigeria supports companies in establishing contact with other organizations and German development cooperation initiatives.