Open Your Eyes For Africa - Africa's opportunities and potential
A cooperative event by Eurafrican Alliance and Bucerius Law School.
The African continent has a hard time in the awareness of the western world. But it is precisely the challenges of the climate crisis, the enormous development potential and the young population that make Africa an important political and economic partner. The panel of experts will discuss the potentials, which exist above all in economic cooperation.
The focus will be on the following questions:
- How can we promote widespread and sustainable industrialisation as well as significantly increase the share of industry in employment and gross domestic product in line with national circumstances?
- How can intercultural partnerships be created between Germany and Africa in general, but also in relation to renewable energies? How can the focus on affordable and equal access for all parts of the population be made possible?
- How can high-quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure be built in the cultural context to support economic development and human well-being?
- How can small businesses from developing countries get better access to financial services, including affordable credit, and how can their inclusion in value chains and markets be ensured?
The speakers
Dr Heiner Flassbeck studied economics in Saarbrücken from 1971 to 1975.
Dr. Flassbeck received his doctorate from the FU Berlin in 1987 and has been an honorary professor at the University of Hamburg since 2005. He worked on the staff of the German Council of Economic Experts from 1976 to 1980 and then for six years in the Federal Ministry of Economics. At the German Institute for Economic Research in Berlin, he was Head of the Department of Business Cycles from 1988 to 1998. In 1998, Heiner Flassbeck was appointed Permanent State Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Finance. From August 2003 to December 2012, he was Director of the Division for Globalisation and Development Strategies at UNCTAD in Geneva. He is the author of many books. His latest book, "The Limited Planet and the Unlimited Economy", was published by Westend Verlag in 2020. He writes regularly on current issues at www.relevante-oekonomik.com.
While Mr Idialu focuses on the management of strategic corporate clients and financial institutions in Africa, his field of activity extends to European corporate banking, global export and trade finance, capital markets and foreign exchange services. In his role, he leads the organisation of seminars on knowledge transfer in international banking with African banks. He is a sponsor of the African Female Leadership Programme at ODDO BHF. Prior to joining ODDO BHF, he was a Vice President at Commerzbank, where he built up international trade with China and Africa as well as business with financial institutions, including the establishment of a China-Africa desk in Shanghai. Alfred holds a Master's degree in Finance from the University of Frankfurt since 2016. He is an alumni of the Inter-Alfa Banking Academy from 2013. He is a Nigerian and German citizen and a passionate football player.
Alfred Idialu heads the sales department of ODDO BHF Group's international banking business for Africa, a leading European financial house.
Alfred Idialu heads the sales department of ODDO BHF Group's international banking business for Africa, a leading European financial house.
While Mr Idialu focuses on the management of strategic corporate clients and financial institutions in Africa, his field of activity extends to European corporate banking, global export and trade finance, capital markets and foreign exchange services. In his role, he leads the organisation of seminars on knowledge transfer in international banking with African banks. He is a sponsor of the African Female Leadership Programme at ODDO BHF. Prior to joining ODDO BHF, he was a Vice President at Commerzbank, where he built up international trade with China and Africa as well as business with financial institutions, including the establishment of a China-Africa desk in Shanghai. Alfred holds a Master's degree in Finance from the University of Frankfurt since 2016. He is an alumni of the Inter-Alfa Banking Academy from 2013. He is a Nigerian and German citizen and a passionate football player.
Ulrich Rieger, Managing Director, Africa First Network.
As a senior ministerial councillor in the Bavarian Ministry of Economic Affairs, Ulrich Rieger organised high-level delegations of companies and scientists to more than 30 African countries over many years and led more than 100 visits of African ministers to Germany.
He has extensive experience and personal contacts. Previously, he was responsible for international financial markets, banking and insurance for 7 years and worked at the highest level in the German Bundestag for 10 years.
Prof. Kappel completed his doctorate, habilitated and taught at the University of Bremen (1980-1996). From 1996 - 2004 he was a professor at the Institute for African Studies in Leipzig. There he also directed the international master's programme "small enterprise promotion and training" (sept). From 2004-2011 he was president of the GIGA (German Institute of Global and Area Studies) and at the same time professor at the University of Hamburg.
He has been teaching at the University of Leipzig again since 2011.
His academic research focuses on global power shifts, development theory and economics, Africa's economic developments and small and medium enterprise dynamics. Numerous journal and book publications. He is a member of the supervisory board of ÖFSE (Austrian Research Foundation for International Development). He blogs at www.graensengrenzen.wordpress.com and www.weltneuvermessung.wordpress.com.
Prof. Dr. Robert Kappel, economist, studied economics and sociology at the University of Freiburg.
Prof. Dr. Robert Kappel, economist, studied economics and sociology at the University of Freiburg.
Prof. Kappel completed his doctorate, habilitated and taught at the University of Bremen (1980-1996). From 1996 - 2004 he was a professor at the Institute for African Studies in Leipzig. There he also directed the international master's programme "small enterprise promotion and training" (sept). From 2004-2011 he was president of the GIGA (German Institute of Global and Area Studies) and at the same time professor at the University of Hamburg.
He has been teaching at the University of Leipzig again since 2011.
His academic research focuses on global power shifts, development theory and economics, Africa's economic developments and small and medium enterprise dynamics. Numerous journal and book publications. He is a member of the supervisory board of ÖFSE (Austrian Research Foundation for International Development). He blogs at www.graensengrenzen.wordpress.com and www.weltneuvermessung.wordpress.com.
The event will take place on Wednesday, 28 June 2023 from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Heinz Nixdorf Lecture Hall room at Bucerius Law School, Jungiusstraße 6, 20355 Hamburg.
After the podium discussion, there will be a reception where participants can get to know the speakers personally over pretzels & wine and finish the evening together.
Participation in the podium discussion is free of charge. However, we would appreciate a donation to support the event.
Registration
If you have any further questions, please write an e-mail to events@eurafrican-alliance.de.
Can't be there live? The podium discussion will be recorded and published on our Youtube channel at a later date.
English 
German