Chancellor Angela Merkel on Tuesday urged companies to take a closer look at Africa’s “huge” economic opportunities, as Germany hopes that development of the continent will help curb illegal migration to Europe.
“For many years we have been very focused on Asia. I think that in future we should turn our sights more on Africa,” Merkel said at an investment forum in Berlin, stressing Africa’s “huge potential for growth”.
The gathering, attended by leaders from around a dozen African countries, is part of Merkel’s so-called “Compact with Africa” initiative launched last year during Germany’s stint as G20 president.
