Stories on economy and employment

Interview

‘The old Africa does not exist anymore’

From dependency to digital sovereignty: Africa is redefining its place in the global technology order. Lacina Koné, Director General and CEO of Smart Africa, and Anna Sophie Herken, Member of the GIZ Management Board, speak with us about why Europe and Africa must act together and why both continents have more to gain than they realise.

Illustration einer Person im Profil mit überlagerten Recycling-Pfeilen und Globus-Symbol, umgeben von Wellenlinien, Wolken, Sonne und Blättern als Darstellung der globalen Wasserkrise.

Background

The global water crisis affects us all

Climate change and overuse are making water a scarce resource. Our colleague Dieter Rothenberger explains how GIZ is working to tackle this crisis. He coordinates the projects with which we improve water and sanitation provision across the globe.

Grafik mit einer Weltkugel in einer Landschaft

Infographic

Water for all

Clean water cannot be taken for granted. Water scarcity threatens billions of people. Our infographic highlights the challenges and possible solutions.

A large input field on which people interact with digital devices

Infographic

Global opportunities through AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing work, the economy and society. It also has enormous potential in international cooperation. Our infographic shows where this potential lies.

Infographic

For a resilient Ukraine

Since 24 February 2022, Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia’s large-scale war of aggression – with military and civilian support from Germany. GIZ is heavily involved in civilian efforts. Our infographic shows the results.

Three people walk along a dusty road in haze, carrying containers on their heads.

Feature

Space for peace

Developing fragile regions into places of social and economic stability is a challenging undertaking in geopolitically uncertain times. In West Africa, GIZ is focusing on holistic approaches that combine the economy, social participation and state structures.

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.

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.

Six people posing together for a group photo, one person in the center holding a sign reading "#TEAMEUROPE".

Interview

‘Europe is a global forward-looking partner’

Michal Minčev heads the Czech Development Agency CzechAid and, from May, will take up the role of co-chair of the Practitioners’ Network alongside GIZ Chair of the Management Board Thorsten Schäfer-Gümbel. In our interview Minčev talks about new geopolitical realities, the need to pool resources and Europe’s position in the world.

Zwei Hände halten einen dunklen, unbearbeiteten Gesteinsbrocken in einer schwach beleuchteten Umgebung.

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.

Man wearing an orange safety vest and checkered shirt standing next to a row of solar panels at an outdoor site with metal structures and buildings in the background.

Background

Effective climate action using AI

Kenya is establishing a digital carbon market infrastructure with GIZ’s support. This also offers German and European companies more transparency for investments in climate protection projects.

The ox plough is the most advanced agricultural tool in Madagascar.

Background

Global poverty: just how unfair is the world?

Crises, conflicts and less money for development hit the poorest hardest. The gap between rich and poor continues to grow.

VEJA founders Sébastien Kopp and François-Ghislain Morillion

Interview

‘Maximising profit at the expense of everything else is harmful’

With their distinctive cut-out ‘V’, VEJA sneakers stand out not only for their design but also for the values they represent. Founder François-Ghislain Morillion reflects on VEJA’s journey, its guiding philosophy, and the role that collaboration with organisations like GIZ plays in making sustainable production possible.