Germany’s Federal Development Ministry at the International Green Week

The topic of responsibility was at the forefront of the special presentation given by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) at the International Green Week in Berlin, Germany. German development cooperation is increasingly focusing on green topics. 

Visitors had the opportunity to gain a vivid impression of BMZ activities addressing topics such as forest conservation and measures to combat global warming, agriculture and sustainable consumption at the information stands. For example, they were able to inform themselves about how tropical forests can be protected against illegal logging by the world-wide zero-deforestation programme or take a look at cocoa, cotton and coffee growing and the complex problems of sustainable and fair production and marketing of these cash-crops. 

Special presentation of African countries
 

For the first time, exhibitors from a total of 14 African countries (Algeria, Ethiopia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic Congo, Madagascar, Mali, Mozambique, Rwanda, Senegal, Togo, Tunisia and Uganda) were represented in the BMZ hall, where they displayed their African products. These included e.g. dried fruit, olive oil, peanut butter, chocolate and cocoa products, cola, cashew and groundnuts, coffee, moringa and a wide range of spices.

On the way to a green economy – eco.business Fund for Africa
 

At the opening event in the BMZ hall on the 17th January, German Federal Development Minister Gerd Müller and KfW board member Joachim Nagel gave the go-ahead for the new independent eco.business fund for Africa. KfW is initially providing 18 million euros. The fund makes loans available to agricultural and forestry businesses and cooperatives in Africa via local banks or provides them directly. 

The fund is advised by Finance in Motion. The preconditions for financing are sustainable production methods in forestry and agriculture, forestry, fishery and tourism – above all getting rid of deforestation. 

The fund is based on a concept that is already being successfully implemented in Latin America and is now being introduced in Africa. Just like in Latin America, it is also intended to mobilise additional private capital in addition to public funds in Africa. 

The BMZ presents itself at the Green Week together with Deutsche Gesellschaft für internationale Zusammenarbeit (giz), KfW-Entwicklungsbank, Welthungerhilfe, the World Wide Fund For Nature (WWF), Fairtrade, Brot für die Welt, Plan International, Vaude and many other organisations.

(wi/BMZ/KfW)

More information:

BMZ and the One World without Hunger Initiative (in German only)
www.bmz.de/de/themen/ernaehrung/index.html

You will find further information on eco.business fund at:
www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/International-financing/KfW-Development-Bank/About-us/News/News-Details_562496.html

and
www.kfw-entwicklungsbank.de/International-financing/KfW-Development-Bank/Our-topics/SDGs/SDG-13/Klimaschutz/