Organised by the Afrika-Verein der deutschen Wirtschaft (German-African Business Association) in partnership with the Bundesverband IT-Mittelstand (BITMi), the webinar brings together stakeholders from both continents to explore the economic and strategic implications of a deepening Africa–Europe partnership in the digital sector. While the format is virtual, the significance of Berlin as the point of coordination is not lost: the German capital has become an increasingly important node in the dialogue between African innovation and European opportunity.

The webinar highlights emerging IT service ecosystems in countries such as Ghana, Egypt, Nigeria, Rwanda, and Tunisia—nations that are rapidly gaining international attention for their dynamic digital landscapes. African companies like Dartex Solutions (Ghana) and CrossWorkers (Egypt), both participating in the session, are now positioning themselves as outsourcing partners for European firms seeking cost-effective, high-quality, and scalable tech solutions.

According to the organisers, the event aims to address not only practical business concerns—such as talent pipelines and sourcing models—but also a more fundamental shift in narrative. Africa, they argue, is no longer a peripheral player in the global knowledge economy. Instead, it is becoming a source of innovation in its own right, equipped with a young, tech-savvy workforce and a growing number of successful startups and training academies.

Representatives from Germany’s Import Promotion Desk (IPD) and other institutions involved in international development cooperation also underline the importance of policy frameworks that can facilitate sustainable partnerships. They emphasise the need for European businesses to look beyond traditional outsourcing destinations and engage more actively with Africa’s expanding digital infrastructure. This includes not only accessing talent, but also investing in long-term cooperation models rooted in mutual benefit and knowledge exchange.

What makes this conversation particularly relevant for Berlin is the city’s unique position as a hub for both innovation and intercultural exchange. With its vibrant tech scene and growing African diaspora, Berlin is well placed to foster new modes of cooperation that go beyond transactional business models. Here, questions of inclusion, equity, and digital sovereignty are increasingly part of the conversation.

Ultimately, the webinar is about more than just outsourcing. It invites a broader reflection on how Africa and Europe—connected by history, proximity, and increasingly by digital pathways—can build a shared future rooted in co-creation. In doing so, it repositions the African continent not at the margins of global technology, but at its centre.

• https://bitmi.de/events/webinar-africa-the-next-global-it-service-destination/
• https://www.afrikaverein.de/veranstaltungen/