Addis Ababa, November 20, 2025 (FMC) — The African Union and Germany have agreed on €88 million in new development cooperation funding aimed at advancing key Agenda 2063 priorities, following two days of negotiations held recently at the AU Commission headquarters in Addis Ababa.
The new package strengthens long-running collaboration between the two sides and will support programmes in sustainable economic development, green energy, peace and security, and continental health preparedness.
Germany said the renewed commitment reflects its position as one of the AU’s most reliable and longstanding partners, with more than €1 billion provided since cooperation began in 2004.
A major focus of the negotiations was the push to accelerate the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area. German officials reaffirmed support for efforts to boost private-sector competitiveness, particularly among small and medium enterprises, to drive job creation, industrialization and cross-border trade.
Energy cooperation also featured prominently, with Germany committing to continued backing for AU flagship initiatives such as the Africa Single Electricity Market and the Continental Power System Masterplan.
Both are designed to help build a unified and reliable continental power grid capable of supporting Africa’s economic transformation.
On peace and security, Germany said its support will target structural conflict prevention, the links between climate impacts and instability, and the strengthening of women, youth and civil society participation in peacebuilding.
Health security was also highlighted, with both sides agreeing to expand joint work with the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention to build a robust and equitable continental health architecture.
Birgit Pickel, Director-General for Africa at Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, said Africa remains a strategic priority for Berlin and that the partnership is grounded in mutual respect and shared responsibility for sustainable development and security.
AU Commission Director-General Fathallah Sijilmassi said the annual consultations are vital for assessing progress and ensuring that joint programmes deliver measurable results on the ground. He welcomed Germany’s continued financial and technical support, noting that it aligns closely with the AU’s long-term development vision.
Germany’s cooperation with the AU is supported through its implementing agencies GIZ and KfW and is reinforced by participation in Joint Financing Arrangements that strengthen AU institutional capacity, the German Embassy in Addis Ababa told Fana Media Corporation. The next round of AU–Germany development cooperation negotiations is scheduled to take place in Addis Ababa in 2027.