Stories on social development

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.

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.

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.

Several people sit around a table in a bright room with a laptop and documents, talking, with a “One Health Data Alliance Africa” banner in the background.

Interview

‘Digitalising the health care sector is an empowering measure for Africa and Europe’

Digitalisation makes medical care more efficient, safer and more patient-friendly. Kirstin Grosse Frie and Julius Murke, who implement digital health projects in Africa for GIZ, know what Africa and Europe can learn from each other.

A man in a dark blue zip-up sweater sits with folded hands in a modern, plant-filled office, calmly looking at the camera.

Portrait

Remaining steadfast

Why former football star Neven Subotic has been interested in water issues in Africa for years, and why he considers fundamental criticism of international cooperation excessive.

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.

Feature

Digital teamwork

In countries of the Global South and in fragile contexts, digital solutions are emerging that are setting international standards. Germany can learn from experience gained with GovStack, for example, when developing its digital government architecture.

Two men in suits greet each other in a modern building with an escalator in the background during a formal meeting.

Interview

‘A Decade of Trust and Cooperation between ASEAN, Germany and Europe’

Germany and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) have been development partners since 2016. In our exclusive interview, H.E. Dr Kao Kim Hourn, Secretary-General of ASEAN, talks about the deepened cooperation, which is supported by long-standing partners such as GIZ.

A group of women wearing white coats walk together along a street, led by a woman in brown clothing, with a blurred building in the background.

Report

Learning with India: AI language assistants for digital inclusion

When it comes to artificial intelligence (AI), German and Indian interests are aligned. A visit to the subcontinent highlights why it is essential for AI systems to be trained in multiple languages.

A man in a lab coat is showing a group of colleagues how to handle a test tube with a sample, emphasizing teamwork and knowledge sharing in the laboratory.

Report

Research without borders

Researching together, protecting together: GIZ supports improved access to vaccines by strengthening the global South and while also benefiting Germany. A visit to scientists in Germany and Ghana who work side by side.

Interview

‘For us, GIZ is like an enzyme that speeds up solutions’

Professor Malek Bajbouj from Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin talks about Charité's international focus and how the partnership with GIZ puts scientific innovation into practice.

Portrait of a smiling older woman with dark shoulder-length hair and a black top in front of a bright red background.

Interview

‘Our work is not a one-way street’

Artificial intelligence can promote development and create new jobs – provided it is used responsibly, explains Bärbel Kofler, Parliamentary State Secretary at the Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development.