Africa’s global standing is undergoing a decisive shift. With the proliferation of Africa+1 summits and the continent’s increasingly assertive role in areas like green energy, digital policy, and industrial development, African states are no longer passive recipients of foreign policy but active shapers of global discourse. The roundtable acknowledged this new agency while situating Africa’s diplomacy within evolving power structures and resource negotiations.

What distinguished this event was its cultural tone, visible in the very choice of venue and participants. Hosting the roundtable within the South African Embassy in Berlin transformed the conversation into more than a policy exchange—it became a demonstration of cultural trust and mutual representation. The participation of figures from Egypt, South Africa, and pan-African institutions highlighted Berlin’s role as a European node for African diplomacy, supported by initiatives like APRI’s interactive summit mapping.

Beyond industrial strategies and green transitions, the event emphasized shared knowledge production. The presence of scholars, business representatives, and diplomats fostered an inclusive space where soft power and storytelling mattered as much as raw materials and trade routes. This convergence of sectors reflects a broader understanding of diplomacy—one that embraces culture, identity, and historical awareness as strategic tools.

The Berlin roundtable was not only a geopolitical briefing but a moment of cultural alignment. It revealed how Africa and Germany are reimagining their relationship through dialogue, trust, and the soft power of shared space. Cultural diplomacy was not the headline, but it was undoubtedly the stage.

• https://www.deutsche-afrika-stiftung.de/en/events/mapping-diplomatic-summits-and-african-foreign-policies-in-the-global-landscape/