AFRIKA KOMMT!

What AFRIKA KOMMT! does

AFRIKA KOMMT! is a one-year fellowship programme founded in 2008 by 19 German companies and currently operated by a consortium of 34 partner companies, with implementation fully contracted to Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, a German federal enterprise headquartered in Bonn and Eschborn. The programme recruits visionary young African professionals (university-educated, typically 2-5 years of experience) through an open online application cycle and a multi-stage assessment centre, then places each Fellow for an eight-month practical phase at a partner company in Germany, complemented by intensive German-language training, three international management training modules, a week-long study tour, and weekend seminars. Since inception the programme has trained 417 Fellows drawn from 28 African countries (with North African countries added in 2020), operating on roughly a two-year cohort cadence that is now approaching its 15th cohort (AK15, with application phase scheduled for February 2027).

The programme is fully funded by its German partner companies — including SAP, Robert Bosch, BASF, Bayer, Siemens, Boehringer Ingelheim, Merck KGaA, B. Braun, BioNTech, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Deutsche Bahn, Volkswagen, Deutsche Telekom, Deutsche Bank, and Commerzbank — each of which bears the per-Fellow cost covering flights, accommodation, living expenses, language and management training, and logistics. No fees are charged to Fellows; in fact, Fellows receive a fully sponsored programme. Beyond the fellowship itself, AFRIKA KOMMT! maintains an alumni network of more than 380 professionals across 28+ African countries, with documented alumni outcomes including the opening of partner-company offices in African markets (B. Braun Ghana, STIHL East Africa, Bosch Ghana), senior placements (Director-level roles at SAP, Merck KGaA, Boehringer Ingelheim, thyssenkrupp), ministerial-level appointments (Geoffrey Mwambe, Minister of Industry and Trade of Tanzania), and downstream venture creation (EcoCycle Ltd in Kenya).

The business model is effectively a B2B consortium/dues-funded programme: there is no product pricing or fee-for-service revenue. Distribution is two-sided — partner companies are acquired through a dedicated partner funnel, and African applicants are sourced via the programme website, MS Teams info sessions, Sendinblue email automation, and social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, YouTube). GIZ handles end-to-end operations including Fellow selection, visa processing, training coordination, and alumni network management. Strategic positioning is reinforced by political endorsement from the German Federal Presidency and oversight by the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ), aligning the programme with German foreign economic and development policy toward Africa.

Name

AFRIKA KOMMT!

Legal name

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Website

https://afrika-kommt.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AFRIKA KOMMT! is a German-industry-funded fellowship programme, implemented by GIZ, that places top young African professionals in one-year placements with 34 leading German companies. Since 2008 it has trained 417 Fellows from 28 African countries and operates on roughly a two-year cohort cadence.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Professional Fellowship / Leadership Development Program

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Educational Support Services (611710), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hybrid, Multi-Location & Multi-Country Study Abroad Programs (EDAIAAAE), Intergovernmental Education Cooperation & Bilateral/Multilateral Programs (EDADALAA)

Keywords

• Leadership fellowship program
• Professional development
• Talent pipeline
• German-african exchange
• Corporate fellowship

Headquarters

HQ city

Bonn

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Partner Company Contributions: AFRIKA KOMMT! is fully funded by participating German companies. Each partner company bears the programme costs per Fellow it hosts, covering flights, accommodation, living expenses, German language courses, management trainings, and all programme-related logistics. No revenue is charged to Fellows.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AFRIKA KOMMT! delivers a one-year fellowship program for visionary young African professionals, comprising an intensive German language course, three international management training modules, an eight-month practical training phase at a leading German partner company, a one-week study tour across Germany, and recurring weekend seminars. The program is funded entirely by German partner companies, has no cost for Fellows, and is implemented operationally by GIZ. Beyond the fellowship year, the initiative sustains an alumni network of 380+ African leaders driving German-African economic relations.

Product overview

AFRIKA KOMMT! is a fellowship program of German industry that operates as a single, unified offering combining structured professional development with practical workplace experience. The core program consists of a one-year fellowship with multiple integrated components: an intensive German language course, three management training modules (covering intercultural competencies, leadership, and change management), an eight-month practical training phase in a German partner company, a week-long study tour, and regular weekend seminars. The program serves as a talent pipeline connecting visionary African professionals with German companies, fostering long-term economic partnerships. Beyond the fellowship, the organization maintains an active alumni network of over 400 professionals who continue to drive German-African business relations and sustainable development initiatives. During the COVID-19 pandemic, fellows also implemented response projects including public health education and anti-stigma campaigns.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellowship Program One-year fellowship bringing visionary young African professionals together with leading German companies for professional development, German language training, management education, and cultural immersion. Funded entirely by German partner companies; delivered at no cost to Fellows.
• AFRIKA KOMMT! Alumni Network

Quantifiable outcome

• Alumni have opened new offices for partner companies in African countries, launched new products and business ideas for African markets, and transformed processes through their contributions.
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

38 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• GIZ (Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit) GmbHcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerGIZ is the implementing organization responsible for all operational management of the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme. Responsibilities include Fellow selection (assessment centre), visa processing, German language training, travel and accommodation logistics, management training coordination, programme monitoring, and alumni network management. GIZ is a public-benefit federal enterprise for international cooperation under private law.
• B. Braun SEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerB. Braun SE is a partner company that has hosted Fellows and used the programme to expand into African markets. B. Braun opened its Ghana office with alumni Akofa Bart-Plange, who trained 618 doctors, nurses, and biomedical technicians in automated infusion systems. B. Braun has also supported COVID-19 response projects led by AK Fellows.
• Robert Bosch GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobert Bosch GmbH is a flagship partner company and co-founder of the programme (led by former Managing Director Tilman Todenhöfer). Bosch hosts Fellows and has opened new offices in Ghana through programme alumni. Alumni Bright Mugabe serves as Partner Manager East Africa at Robert Bosch Power Tools.
• SAP SEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSAP SE is a major partner company that has employed multiple alumni, including Kwena Mabotja (Director, SAP Purpose and Brand Experience). SAP has published multiple press articles about AFRIKA KOMMT! and its alumni impact on SAP Africa's growth.
• Merck KGaAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMerck KGaA has employed alumni including Steve Maina (Director at Merck KGaA) and Winnie Munene (who pioneered Curafa healthcare concept in Kenya). Alumni have built Merck's scientific community collaboration in Sub-Saharan Africa.
• Boehringer Ingelheim GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBoehringer Ingelheim has employed multiple alumni and supported COVID-19 response projects by AK Fellows. Alumni Winnie Munene became Pharmacovigilance Manager Sub-Saharan Africa. Alumni Alexander Badong won the Beyond R&D Innovation Award 2019 and BI Spark Digital Innovation Award at the company.
• BASF SEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBASF SE hosts Fellows and has employed alumni including Frank Agyapong who created a marketing strategy for BASF Ghana and manages an 18-agro-input portfolio. Frank has trained over 1,000 smallholder farmers, increasing yields by up to 20%.
• ANDREAS STIHL AG & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSTIHL opened its East Africa hub in Nairobi with alumnus Patrick Okello as Managing Director of STIHL Marketing East Africa Limited. Patrick enables local farmers to improve mechanization and access affordable, reliable power tools.
• Bayer AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBayer AG is a long-standing partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme, providing Fellowship opportunities to African professionals in the pharmaceutical and life sciences sectors.
• thyssenkrupp AGcoreStrategic or Co-development Partnerthyssenkrupp AG is a partner company. Alumni Seth Miah serves as Regional Manager West Africa at thyssenkrupp AG, contributing to the company's African market presence.
• Deutsche Bahn AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Bahn AG is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme, hosting African Fellows for professional development and contributing to German-African economic relations.
• Siemens AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSiemens AG is a partner company in the programme, providing Fellowship opportunities across its operations.
• Siemens Healthineers AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSiemens Healthineers AG is a partner company providing Fellowship opportunities in healthcare technology.
• BioNTech SEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBioNTech SE joined the programme for the upcoming cohort, providing new Fellowship opportunities for African professionals in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.
• BMW AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBMW AG is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme, providing Fellowship opportunities in the automotive sector.
• Continental AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerContinental AG is a partner company. Alumna Lucy Wanjiku Mutinda (first intake 2008) was attached to Continental AG, where she found inspiration to start EcoCycle Ltd in Kenya.
• Mercedes-Benz AG (Daimler AG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMercedes-Benz AG (formerly Daimler AG) is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme.
• Volkswagen AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVolkswagen AG is a partner company providing Fellowship opportunities in the automotive industry.
• Deutsche Telekom AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Telekom AG is a partner company in the programme.
• WILO SEcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWILO SE is a partner company that supported COVID-19 response projects by AK Fellows alongside other companies including B. Braun, Boehringer Ingelheim, and Merck KGaA.
• Voith GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerVoith Group is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme.
• K+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerK+S Minerals and Agriculture GmbH is a partner company in the programme.
• FESTO DidacticcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFESTO Didactic is a partner company in the programme.
• Schott AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSchott AG is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme.
• E.ON AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerE.ON AG is a partner company in the programme.
• Lufthansa AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLufthansa AG is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme.
• Commerzbank AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommerzbank AG is a partner company in the programme.
• Deutsche Bank AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDeutsche Bank AG is a partner company in the programme.
• ZF Friedrichshafen AGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZF Friedrichshafen AG is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme.
• Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG is a partner company in the programme.
• Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KGcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAlfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme.
• ODDO BHFcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerODDO BHF is a partner company in the AFRIKA KOMMT! programme.
• Codema International GmbH – Rauscher GruppeminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCodema International GmbH – Rauscher Gruppe is listed as a partner company in the programme.
• Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbHminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRobert Bosch Stiftung GmbH is listed as a partner/supporter of the programme.
• Stiftung Entwicklungs-Zusammenarbeit Baden-Württemberg (SEZ)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSEZ (Stiftung Entwicklungs-Zusammenarbeit Baden-Württemberg) is listed as a partner organisation.
• Zeit-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd BuceriusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerZeit-Stiftung Ebelin und Gerd Bucerius organised and hosted weekend seminars for AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellows, including visits to Bucerius Law School.
• German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe BMZ oversees GIZ and thus the programme. Niels Annen, State Secretary at BMZ, serves as Chairperson of the GIZ Supervisory Board. The programme aligns with BMZ's development-policy objectives.
• German Federal Foreign OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Federal Foreign Office promotes and networks the programme internationally. Fellows receive an official farewell ceremony hosted by the Federal Foreign Office at the end of their programme year.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCjXeLn1aqQKXJpxV9VBDQ_w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/afrika-kommt

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about AFRIKA KOMMT!