Geschwungene gelbe, orange und hellgrüne Bänder überlagern sich als dynamisches, freundliches Dekor

A global partner for strong markets

GIZ’s work creates added value – for countries around the world, for local people and for German and European companies. They all benefit from access to new markets, fair trade, reliable supply chains and raw materials networks.

Geopolitical upheaval and economic volatility are posing profound challenges for countries and companies, making it essential to break into new markets and build reliable partnerships. This is as true for national economies as it is for long-term corporate success. Contacts around the globe are now more important than ever.

For us, international cooperation has always meant working with private-sector actors worldwide. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are so comprehensive in nature that they cannot be financed and implemented by governments alone. Businesses and investors are needed to provide additional funding, ideas and energy. Effective solutions can thus be created and developed quicker, and can reach a larger number of people – which in turn benefits the private sector.

Zwei Personen arbeiten konzentriert an Laptops in einem modernen Raum mit blauen Farbakzenten. Beide Personen tragen weiße Arbeitskittel.

Abstrakte Grafik mit überlappenden gelben, orangen und grünen Formen, die dynamische Bewegung und Tiefe erzeugen

This page is part of the Integrated Company Report 2025

Go to overview

We focus specifically on the German and European economies and are committed to a new form of cooperation for sustainable prosperity worldwide. We work to shape standards and partnerships such that German and European businesses can operate more easily abroad. Improved framework conditions in the partner countries help us achieve this, along with both established and new forms of technical and financial cooperation.

We open doors for the private sector and act as its strategic partner.

GIZ knows the markets and forges links to German companies

We work in around 120 countries. Our long-standing operations on the ground in partner countries have enabled us to forge a close-knit network with governments, civil society and private-sector actors and become familiar with the markets. We provide support across all sectors, explains Thorsten Giehler, Director of the Economic, Social Development and Employment Division at GIZ. ‘International cooperation can open doors and provide support for German businesses looking to invest in emerging economies and developing countries. Indeed, partner countries themselves increasingly expect international cooperation to be integrated into economic relations in this way.’

Background

The private sector in focus

Why closer cooperation with the private sector is essential and how this relates to the new geopolitical situation.

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GIZ shapes framework conditions

We are working in partnership with the Global South to create suitable framework conditions for local, German and European companies, that reflect the interests of both sides. These include improving business conditions locally, expanding sustainable infrastructure and providing vocational training for young people. To prevent the shortage of qualified skilled workers from becoming an obstacle to investment for European companies in Africa, we work with local partners to train experts and managers as part of the Special Initiative ‘Invest for Jobs’.

Two German automotive suppliers describe how they gained a foothold in Tunisia and the role played by the Tunisian Automotive Association and GIZ.

We also support the German private sector by providing a range of precisely tailored services to attract skilled workers or trainees to come and work in Germany. We are committed to skilled labour migration that is fair and transparent.

GIZ helps safeguard rare raw materials

Raw materials are essential for the green transformation. Germany and the European Union (EU) remain dependent on imports of these strategically important raw materials for many things, including the electrification of the European economy. GIZ is working actively to make raw materials available on a sustainable basis and to establish value chains with partner countries.

GIZ is very well placed to do this. ‘We know the stakeholders and interests on both sides and have excellent networks in the partner countries, in Europe and in Germany,’ says Kristian Lempa, Director of the Global Policy, Governance and Cities Division at GIZ, in an interview.

Interview

‘A European answer to the raw materials question’

Lithium, rare earths and stable supply chains are important pillars for the green and digital transformation of the European economy. Kristian Lempa, Director of Global Policy, Governance and Cities at GIZ, explains our role in the supply of raw materials and the advantages of sustainable partnerships.

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GIZ strengthens sustainable supply chains

Crises and wars show just how fragile trade relations can be. Companies need stable and sustainable supply chains if they want to remain competitive. Furthermore, legal requirements demand that companies set out transparently how their suppliers comply with human rights and environmental standards. GIZ is committed to demonstrably fair production conditions that benefit all parties. This creates lasting partnerships and stable supply chains.In agriculture, for instance, we support sustainable practices that help make agricultural supply chains greener, fairer and more inclusive.

In agriculture, for instance, we support sustainable practices that help make agricultural supply chains greener, fairer and more inclusive.

Report

A valuable harvest

Sustainable supply chains stabilise businesses. A visit to Ghana shows how GIZ supports smallholder farmers in the Global South while boosting the competitiveness of European companies.

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Infographic on the cocoa supply chain: A smiling cocoa farmer with fresh cocoa pods in a stylized cocoa fruit, connected to an EU container on a light green background.

GIZ facilitates trade for companies

International trade is a driver of economic growth and development. The challenges that companies face include not only the current upheavals in international trade policy but also complex customs regulations and non-transparent procedures. GIZ draws on its experience and partnerships to implement global trade facilitation. This makes it quicker, cheaper and more secure to do business between countries.

‘Trade facilitations encourage investments – and investments in turn enable better and more efficient border procedures. These two developments are mutually reinforcing,’ says Birgit Viohl from the World Trade Organization (WTO). GIZ is helping to implement the Trade Facilitation Agreement worldwide, stresses the WTO expert in an interview.

GIZ’s work in the field of sustainable development benefits not only local partners, but also companies in Europe. At the same time, the private sector is a key partner for sustainable development and for achieving the goals of the 2030 Agenda. Economic cooperation is the basis for lasting prosperity worldwide – a win-win situation for all.

Interview

‘GIZ is valued as an important partner of the WTO’

Less bureaucracy, more growth: Birgit Viohl from the World Trade Organization (WTO) explains how dynamic trade can be successful – and how GIZ supports states across the globe in making customs clearance faster.

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Other parts of the report

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Integrated Company Report 2025

Peace as the foundation for a secure future

Security cannot be achieved single-handedly. GIZ supports reconstruction in Ukraine and Syria, promotes dialogue in the Sahel region and strengthens cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Because development is pivotal for peace.

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Wind turbines on a green hill under a cloudy sky.

Integrated Company Report 2025

One planet, one responsibility

Prosperity, security and climate action are closely interlinked. Investing together in the global energy transition and climate adaptation provides stable answers in an unstable world.

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Bunte Illustration mit Balkendiagramm und Ringdiagramm, die unterschiedliche Datenwerte und deren Verhältnis darstellen.

Integrated Company Report 2025

Fiscal year 2025

Learn more about GIZ’s business volume, income and commissions received in fiscal year 2025.

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