The first case of Covid-19 on the African continent was confirmed in Egypt in mid-February 2020. So far, the infection figures in Africa are relatively low, with 88,172 infected persons and 2,834 deaths (as of 19 May 2020). Nevertheless, the pandemic poses enormous challenges for many African countries.

Numerous African countries reacted to the pandemic comparatively early and, in some cases, with drastic measures: international air traffic was restricted in many places and national borders were closed; at the same time, public life and most economic activities were severely restricted. This is also placing a heavy burden on German-African economic relations: in South Africa, for example, where a large proportion of German companies investing in Africa are based, the government ordered one of the strictest lockdowns worldwide; the automotive supply industry, for example in Tunisia or Morocco, is also particularly affected by the effects of the corona pandemic.

Against this background, the Association of German Chambers of Industry and Commerce (DIHK) and the German Africa Foundation  invited to an online discussion  with the heads of the Foreign Chambers of Commerce (AHKs) in Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa.