Nineteen of Germany’s leading businesses have committed themselves to a common cause. In 2008, they launched the AFRIKA KOMMT! initiative for economic and capacity development. The programme trains young, future managers from Sub-Saharan Africa on-site with German companies. The main idea behind the initiative is to create a win-win-situation for the programme participants and the partnering companies. Thus, the initiative lays the foundation stone for sustainable economic cooperation with Africa and aims at forming stable cooperative partnerships for the future.

About AFRIKA KOMMT!

The programme AFRIKA KOMMT! brings together the most visionary young leaders from Africa and leading German companies. Companies benefit from the expertise, knowledge, local network and unique African perspective of the young professionals. The African fellows dive deep into the German corporate specifics, German business spirit and the German culture. Empowered with international experience, technical skills and German language they become African change agents for the sake of both: the German business relations with Africa as well as for economic and social growth in the fellows’ home

Aim and Benefits of Fellowship

At the heart of the AFRIKA KOMMT! fellowship programme is an eight-months practical training in a leading German enterprise benefiting both, fellows and partner companies – a classic win-win situation:

The programme fellows benefit through:

• gaining first-hand practical experience in a leading German enterprise
• being exposed to leadership concepts and management techniques in practice
• becoming acquainted with working processes and business culture in German enterprises
• extending their international management competencies
• initiating networks of cooperation partners between Sub-Saharan Africa and German companies

The partner companies benefit through:

• establishing networks of cooperation and trust in promising future markets in Sub-Saharan Africa
• extending their experience with the working and business culture in Sub-Saharan Africa
• improving their knowledge about cultures, markets, countries etc. in Sub-Saharan Africa

The AFRIKA KOMMT! fellowship programme also includes: Language course, Travelling expenses (Flights, Visa, local travels etc), Monthly living allowances, Accommodation, Insurance, Trainings and Study tours, Alumni activities, Certificate

After five completed programme years, a significant number of the participants now work in the branch office of their respective partner company in Africa.

Requirements for Fellowship Qualification

AFRIKA KOMMT! candidates need to fulfil the following formal eligibility requirements:

• University degree in a relevant subject (please see individual company profiles below)
• Postgraduate degree (e.g. MBA) is an advantage
• Two to five years of relevant work experience
• Excellent English language skills
• Basic knowledge of the German language is an advantage
• Not older than 35 years and physically fit
• Female candidates are welcome

Interview date, Process and Venue for Fellowship

Selection Criteria: 

Besides the specific technical expertise relevant to the partner company, the programme requires candidates to have the following set of general skills and attributes:

Language and communication skills:

Excellent English skills
Strong oral and written communication skills
High willingness to learn German

Professional skills:

High leadership potential
Strong self-motivation and self-starter mentality
High level of dedication, commitment and target-orientation
Strong capacity for teamwork

Personal attributes:

High level of enthusiasm, flexibility and resilience
Outstanding intercultural competencies
Ability to adapt to new environments quickly

Application Deadline

March 26, 2023

How to Apply

Interested and qualified? Go to AFRIKA KOMMT! on afrika-kommt.de to apply

For more details, visit AFRIKA KOMMT! website.