Afrika-Verein

What Afrika-Verein does

Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft e.V., operating as Afrika-Verein (AV) or the German-African Business Association, is a registered non-profit association (eingetragener Verein) founded in the 1930s and headquartered in Berlin with a registered office in Hamburg. It functions as the principal private-sector intermediary between German and African economies, with a stated membership of more than 400 companies ranging from startups to DAX-listed corporations (including Siemens, Bosch, Volkswagen, Bayer, Deutsche Bank, SAP, and BASF), and claims to represent approximately 85% of German business activity in Africa. The organization operates a portfolio of membership services, BMKW-subsidized advisory services via Africa Advisory Vouchers (85% funded), business events and delegation trips, the indeed Africa! young professionals and diaspora network, the Africa Business Hub Berlin event venue, public affairs advocacy, and content including the AFRICast Business podcast and position papers.

The association's operating model combines recurring membership dues (tiered by company size under an internal fee schedule), subsidized advisory fees from SMEs for market entry support, and partnership/sponsorship revenue from a media kit targeting over 40,000 business and political contacts. Its competitive position rests on a 90-year institutional history, a network of 50 partner institutions in Germany and 47 partners across 33 African countries, and formal relationships with federal ministries (BMKW, BMZ), German Chambers abroad (AHK network), GIZ, and African regional bodies including the East African Community and East African Business Council. The organization is governed by a member-elected Presidium led by President Sabine Dall'Omo (CEO of Siemens South Africa) and Chief Executive Claudia Voß, who succeeded Christoph Kannengießer in April 2026.

Technology is not a core capability: the offering is services-, events-, and relationships-based rather than software-based. The principal digital surfaces are the bilingual website, LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, and the AFRICast Business podcast. Product launches in 2026, including the Africa Business Hub Berlin venue and the BMKW Advisory Vouchers program available through December 2027, alongside the Invest.EastAfrica! Forum and the 10th German-African Health Forum, indicate an active programmatic expansion cycle, with a clear pivot toward deeper on-the-ground activation in Ghana, Zimbabwe, East Africa, and the healthcare vertical.

Name

Afrika-Verein

Legal name

Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft e.V.

Website

https://afrikaverein.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1935

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft is a German non-profit business association that connects over 400 German, European, and African companies engaged in African markets, providing membership services, subsidized market-entry advisory, events, delegations, and policy advocacy to represent roughly 85% of German business activity in Africa.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trade Association / Business Networking Services

NAICS

Business Associations (813910), Convention and Trade Show Organizers (56192)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600), International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Trade Facilitation, Customs & Border Regulatory Cooperation (BPADANAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Trade, Export Controls & Customs Compliance (BPAHAFAN), International Economic & Trade Cooperation Organizations (BPADAAAC)

Keywords

• Foreign trade association
• Business networking services
• Market entry consulting
• Delegation trip services
• Trade promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Berlin

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership fees: Annual membership fees from German, European, and African companies. Membership tiers based on company size. Members include startups through DAX corporations. Fee structure governed by 'Beitragsordnung' (membership fee schedule).
2. Advisory and consulting services: Africa Advisory Vouchers program with subsidized rates (85% funded by BMKW). Members receive special rates on daily consulting rates. Services include market analysis, partner matching, distribution structure development, and financing advisory.
3. Partnership and sponsorship: Premium partner logos, newsletter sponsorship, and event cooperation options. Media kit 2026 offers logo partnerships, newsletter sponsoring, and event collaborations targeting 40,000+ contacts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft is a non-profit foreign trade association that facilitates business relations between German, European, and African companies. The organization provides corporate membership services, subsidized advisory consulting for African market entry, business delegation trips and forums, networking events, political advocacy, and venue access through its Africa Business Hub Berlin. It serves 400+ member companies across 54 African and European markets.

Product overview

Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft is a business association serving as the German-African Business Association. Rather than a unified software platform, it offers a portfolio of advisory, networking, and advocacy services organized around membership. Core offerings include membership with access to a 400+ company network, the Africa Advisory Vouchers program providing subsidized consulting for market entry, business events and delegations, the indeed Africa! youth and diaspora network, the Africa Business Hub Berlin event venue, the AFRICast Business podcast, and policy publications. The association connects German companies with African markets through events, market intelligence, and direct advisory support.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• indeed Africa! – The Young Business & Diaspora Network: A network supporting young entrepreneurs, managers, and diaspora professionals connecting Germany and African markets.

Products and services

• Membership Services Annual membership providing access to a network of 400+ German, European and African companies active in Africa, with benefits including market analyses, legal insights, networking events, delegation trips, and advocacy representation. Open to companies from startups to DAX-listed corporations.
• Africa Advisory Vouchers (Beratungsgutscheine Afrika) BMKW-funded advisory program providing 85% subsidy for consulting services covering market analysis, business partner matching, sales structure development, and financing advice for companies expanding to African markets. Available to SMEs with annual turnover up to €100 million, up to 3 vouchers per year.
• Business Events & Delegations Organized business conferences, delegations, and networking events including the Invest.EastAfrica! Forum, German-Senegalese Business Forum, German-African Health Forum, and business trips to African markets (Ghana, Zimbabwe, mining and construction sectors).
• indeed Africa! – The Young Business & Diaspora Network Network connecting young professionals, entrepreneurs, and diaspora representatives from Germany and Africa for mentorship, networking, and business opportunities.
• Africa Business Hub Berlin Conference and event venue in Berlin's government district near the Reichstag and Brandenburg Gate, offering facilities for up to 80 persons for business dinners, roundtables, delegations, and networking events. Available for rental to external organizations.
• AFRICast Business Podcast Podcast series featuring experts discussing the position of German business in Africa and emerging market opportunities across the continent.
• Publications & Studies Research publications including the KPMG Africa Study, 'Focus Africa' position paper, hydrogen trends analysis, and recommendations for financing instruments.
• Public Affairs & Advocacy Political representation and lobbying for members with German, EU, and African governments on trade policy, investment frameworks, and market access conditions.

Quantifiable outcome

• Representing ~85% of German Africa business
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

21 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GHA – German Health AlliancecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 October 2026Co-organizer of 10th German-African Health Forum with GHA. Forum has established itself as central platform for exchange between Germany and Africa's health sector.
• Ghana Investment Promotion CentrecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 February 2026Co-hosted investment webinar with Ghana Investment Promotion Centre showcasing priority projects including 24 Hour Economy, Volta Economic Corridor, and Black Star Experience tourism initiative.
• State of HessecoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Co-host of Invest.EastAfrica! Business and Investment Forum with Afrika-Verein, GIZ, IHK Frankfurt & Friedberg and Berlin, and BVWM. Hesse positioning itself as Germany's economic powerhouse supporting East African trade expansion.
• GIZ (German Development Cooperation)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Government implementing organization for development cooperation. Co-organizer of Invest.EastAfrica! Forum and ongoing support for German-African economic partnerships.
• IHK Frankfurt & Friedberg and BerlincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 January 2026Chambers of Commerce co-organizing Invest.EastAfrica! Forum to facilitate German-East African business connections.
• East African Community (EAC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Regional intergovernmental organization of East African states. Forum host and partner for deepening German-EAC economic ties, with inter-regional trade expanding over 12%.
• East African Business Council (EABC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 29 January 2026Business representative organization for East Africa. Co-organizer of Invest.EastAfrica! Forum representing East African private sector interests.
• BVWMminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 29 January 2026German federal association supporting Invest.EastAfrica! Forum organization.
• Delegation der Deutschen Wirtschaft in Ghana (AHK Ghana)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman Chamber of Commerce abroad. Co-organizer of Ghana business delegation trip August-September 2026 for mining and construction sectors.
• Delegation der Deutschen Wirtschaft in Nigeria (AHK Nigeria)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman Chamber of Commerce abroad. Network partner for Nigeria business activities and market entry support.
• Deutsche Industrie- und Handelskammer für das südliche Afrika (AHK Südliches Afrika)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman Chamber of Commerce for Southern Africa. Co-organizer of Zimbabwe mining delegation trip August 2026 with Afrika-Verein and VDMA Mining & Minerals.
• VDMA Mining & MineralscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman Engineering Federation's mining and minerals association. Technical partner for Zimbabwe and Ghana mining delegation trips.
• BMKW (Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Klimaschutz)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Ministry providing funding for Africa Advisory Vouchers program (85% subsidy on eligible expenditure). Also funder of SME market entry program.
• BMZ (Bundesministerium für wirtschaftliche Zusammenarbeit und Entwicklung)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFederal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. Key government partner for Africa policy dialogue and development cooperation alignment.
• German Agribusiness AllianceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIndustry-specific alliance within Afrika-Verein network focusing on agricultural business opportunities in Africa.
• Deutsch-Arabische Industrie- und HandelskammerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Regional partner for North Africa operations.
• Deutsch-Tunesische Industrie- und HandelskammerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman-Tunisian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Network partner for Tunisia business activities.
• Deutsch-Marokkanische Industrie- und HandelskammerminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorGerman-Moroccan Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Partner for Morocco market access.
• Bayer AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDAX corporation founding partner of Invest.EastAfrica! Forum. Representing German life sciences and pharmaceutical sector in East African partnerships.
• MelittacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean consumer goods company. Invest.EastAfrica! founding partner launching sustainable trade partnerships with East African counterparts.
• ofi (olam food ingredients)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading food ingredients company. Invest.EastAfrica! partner accelerating sustainable trade from agri-business to AI with East African partners.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Association of German Chambers of Commerce and Industry (DIHK): Coordinates the German Chambers of Commerce (IHKs) in Germany and the AHK network abroad. Co-organizes forums (e.g., Invest.EastAfrica!) with Afrika-Verein; comparable as a broad business-membership organization but with a domestic plus general-international mandate versus Afrika-Verein's Africa-specific focus.
• Federation of German Industries (BDI): The umbrella lobby of German industry. Overlaps with Afrika-Verein on Africa policy advocacy but operates across all industries and geographies, providing a broader incumbent comparison rather than the focused bilateral mandate Afrika-Verein serves.
• Federation of German Wholesale, Foreign Trade and Services (BGA): German federation representing wholesale, foreign trade, and services industries. Comparable as a Germany-based trade and foreign-economic-relations membership organization with policy and event functions that overlap with Afrika-Verein's mandate.
• German Engineering Federation (VDMA): Major German industry federation for the mechanical engineering sector. Co-organizes mining delegation trips with Afrika-Verein; a sectoral incumbent that overlaps in Africa engagement but with a vertical (engineering) rather than geographic focus.
• AmCham Germany: American Chamber of Commerce in Germany. Comparable as a bilateral business membership organization offering networking, advocacy, and advisory services, but with a US-Germany rather than Germany-Africa mandate.

Emerging players

• German Health Alliance (GHA): Alliance within the German healthcare and life sciences sector focused on international health cooperation. Co-organizes the German-African Health Forum with Afrika-Verein; a sector-specific peer that provides a model for vertical-focused alliances operating under Afrika-Verein's broader Africa umbrella.

Direct peers

• Sub-Saharan Africa Initiative of German Business (SAFRI): Initiative of German business focused on Sub-Saharan Africa engagement. Directly comparable to Afrika-Verein as a Germany-Africa business platform — explicitly referenced by Afrika-Verein's board as a related institution, and is co-led by figures who sit on Afrika-Verein's Presidium.
• Franco-African Business Council (CIAN): French bilateral business council focused on Africa. Closely comparable in structure, mission (French-Africa trade facilitation), and service offering (advisory, events, advocacy) — a true international peer mirroring Afrika-Verein's role from a French platform perspective.
• German-Asian Business Association (OAV): Bilateral German business association focused on Asia, with similar membership model, advisory services, events, and policy advocacy. Closely comparable structural peer demonstrating the bilateral trade association template Afrika-Verein follows.

Regional players

• Italo-African Chamber of Commerce: Italian-African business facilitation organization. Comparable structurally as a bilateral Europe-Africa trade body, but anchored in Italy rather than Germany and therefore a regional rather than direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@afrikaverein_de
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afrika-verein-der-deutschen-wirtschaft-german-african-business-association-
• Instagraminstagram.com/afrikaverein_de
• Xx.com/afrikaverein

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Afrika-Verein