Germany’s leading business alliance for Sub-Saharan engagement has called for a major policy shift towards Africa, arguing that stronger partnerships are essential to securing raw materials and protecting Europe’s industrial resilience amid growing geopolitical tensions.
A new policy paper by the Sub-Saharan Africa Initiative of German Business (SAFRI), seen by Reuters on Wednesday, urged Berlin to adopt a decisive ‘Africa shift’. The organisation said Germany must urgently sign strategic, legally binding raw-material agreements with African nations to reduce its reliance on China and other dominant suppliers.
‘Act now or fall behind’
‘Africa is not just a market for the future, but a partner for our economic resilience,’ said SAFRI chairman Thomas Schaefer. ‘If we are serious about diversification, raw material security and new growth areas, we must act now.’
The appeal comes as German manufacturers struggle with supply-chain bottlenecks and rising costs for key industrial inputs. The SAFRI paper warned that export curbs from China are already disrupting production in Germany and threatening Europe’s competitiveness.
‘Export stoppages from China are already leading to declines in production in Germany today and thus also endangering Europe as an industrial location,’ the report stated.
Rising dependence on China
Germany’s dependency has deepened sharply over the past decade. In 2014, about 18 percent of its lithium battery imports came from China; by 2024 that figure had surged to roughly 50 percent.
Raw materials such as lithium, copper and cobalt—abundant across several African countries—are indispensable for Germany’s transition to green energy and digital industries. SAFRI’s report warns that failure to diversify sourcing could leave the country exposed to further supply shocks.
A partnership beyond extraction
SAFRI’s proposals go beyond resource security. The group called for deeper investment in African economies and stronger support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which it said could unlock major opportunities for industrial growth and trade integration.
‘We must no longer view Africa solely through the lens of risk and development aid,’ Schaefer added. ‘This is about a partnership-based approach with opportunities for both sides.’
The paper also urged faster implementation of the European Union’s Economic Partnership Agreements with African countries to create a more stable and mutually beneficial trade environment.
Analysts say SAFRI’s call reflects a broader shift in European thinking—one that recognises Africa not merely as a source of raw materials but as a strategic partner in innovation, renewable energy and industrial value chains.
