Since the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was formally established in 2019, its member states have been working on its implementation. The German industrial sector, too, is watching the free trade zone and its economic potential with great interest. At the same time, it is clear that there is still a long way to go toward an integrated African marketplace, and the challenges extend beyond tariff-based trade barriers.

Reliable access to raw materials is crucial for the competitiveness and resilience of German industry, especially with regard to future technologies. Given its growing dependence on China for the extraction and processing of many key raw materials, Germany urgently needs to diversify its sources of supply. Africa is becoming increasingly important as a strategic partner in this regard—through stronger direct sourcing and the establishment of local value chains, the continent can play a key role in diversifying German and European raw material relationships.