Megatrends Afrika
Megatrends: Structural Transformations in Africa
African countries and societies are currently undergoing profound transformations that are being driven or shaped by global megatrends which have far-reaching impacts on social, economic and political systems. This applies, for example, to climate change, urbanisation, digitalisation, demographic change and shifts in the global balance of power.
The “Megatrends Afrika” project
Especially in today’s era of disruption – against the backdrop of a changing world order, the return of war to Europe and the fragmentation of the West as a community of values – Germany and Europe face major challenges. In this context, African countries are steadily gaining importance as partners for Germany and Europe, whether in reforming the multilateral order, reducing economic dependencies or attracting skilled workers. These dynamics create new challenges for German and European decision-makers and increase the need for scientifically grounded policy advice – including a strategically oriented science and research policy as a basis for cooperation.
In the project “Megatrends Afrika: Cooperation with Africa in Times of Global Disruption”, we develop ideas for German and European cooperation with African partners to help shape ongoing transformation processes in a sustainable and fair manner. We examine what the new world order and key megatrends mean for politics, economies and peace in Africa; how African societies are shaping their policies in an increasingly fragmented international system; and in which areas Germany and Europe can further develop their cooperation with African partners in the pursuit of shared interests.
We focus on four research areas:
- Peace and Security
- The Future of Democracy
- Economic Prospects
- Africa's Role in the New World Order
Megatrends Afrika is a joint project of the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP), the German Institute of Development and Sustainability (IDOS) and the Kiel Institute for the World Economy (Kiel Institute).
The project’s researchers adhere to the generally recognised principles for ensuring good scientific practice. Policy Briefs and Working Papers that are produced are subject to an internal peer review process. Furthermore, Policy Briefs undergo fact-checking. The publications reflect the views of the respective authors.
Informing the debate on Africa policy
We produce policy-relevant research on major political, social and economic trends in Africa. The project brings together scholars from both continents and different disciplines. Our goal is to engage in exchange, adopt different perspectives and subject them to critical reflection and discussion. We conduct these debates at workshops with representatives from academia, politics and civil society, through our publications and via the blog series of on website (Spotlight). In doing so, we seek to contribute to a more nuanced public debate on Africa.
Funding
As an inter-ministerially financed research and advisory project, we receive funding from the Federal Ministry of Finance (BMF), the German Federal Foreign Office (AA), the Federal Ministry of Defence (BMVg), the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), the Federal Ministry of Research, Technology and Space (BMFTR), and the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Publications of this project
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Africa’s Evolving Red Sea Security Dynamics and Implications for Europe
As Gulf rivalries extend into the Red Sea, African states are gaining strategic value while facing new pressures on their room for manoeuvre. Priyal Singh examines what the evolving security order means for Africa’s collective agency and Europe’s regional role.
Megatrends spotlight 85, 16.09.2026 -
Agree to Disagree: Why the AU and the EU should Engage in Pragmatic Partnerships
The AU–EU partnership should embrace the plurality within both unions, make interests transparent, and enable pragmatic cooperation between coalitions of willing countries, helping to bring proclaimed ambitions closer to actual practice, explain Benedikt Erforth and Lena Gutheil.
Megatrends spotlight 84, 10.09.2026 -
China’s Scientific Cooperation with Africa
Chinese scientific cooperation with Africa is shaped by both state-led initiatives and actor-driven partnerships, spanning digital transformation, agriculture, public health, satellite remote sensing, joint research, and capacity building, argue Hangwei Li and Han Cheng.
Megatrends spotlight 83, 03.09.2026 -
How South Africa and the EU Can Strengthen Cooperation on Minerals
Both the EU and South Africa seek to reshape critical raw materials supply chains. The EU aims to reduce dependencies on China, while South Africa seeks to create jobs. Melanie Müller explains how their interests can be aligned for closer cooperation in the minerals sector.
Megatrends spotlight 82, 01.09.2026 -
‘Compacts with Africa’: An Effective Lever for Private Investment?
The G20’s “Compacts with Africa” initiative aimed to create the necessary conditions, through reforms, for increased private investment in African countries. Almost ten years after the initiative was launched, Rainer Thiele and Tomke Necker analyse its effectiveness and structural shortcomings.
Megatrends spotlight 81, 31.08.2026 -
China in the Classroom of an African Cadre School
The Mwalimu Julius Nyerere Leadership School serves as a platform for regional and ideological connection for socialist “sister parties” in Southern Africa. While it is African-owned and administered, the Chinese Communist Party significantly shapes its strategic orientation, explains Amélie Wurl.
Megatrends Policy Brief 52, 20.08.2026, 7 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2026MTA-PB52
