As part of her West Africa working trip, the German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits Ghana’s capital Accra on Thursday, 30th August 2018. This invitation follows the invitation of President Nana Akufo-Addo.
On her visit, Merkel will be accompanied by the German Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Gerd Müller, and a high-level business delegation consisting of representatives of German companies.
Apart from meeting the President of Ghana and attending a business roundtable, the Chancellor wants to interact with young Ghanaian entrepreneurs. According to Merkel’s video podcast released on 26th August on YouTube, she wants to talk about the possibilities of ‘opening up an economic perspective’.
Therefore, the German Embassy in collaboration with the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, Delegation of German Industry & Commerce in Ghana (AHK Ghana) and Impact Hub Accra, a start-up incubator located in Osu, organizes a lounge discussion and mini-fair during the visit which will also be attended by selected young Ghanaian founders; it will take place at the Impact Hub Accra.
Chancellor Merkel wants to discuss issues regarding Ghana as an investment destination. In her podcast she says, Africa and Europe are growing ever closer due to globalization and digitization. Therefore, the Ghanaian start-up entrepreneurs will have the opportunity to present their innovative and, in part, digital business ideas to the Chancellor and her business delegation at Impact Hub.
On Thursday evening, Chancellor Angela Merkel will continue her Africa trip. After Senegal and Ghana, Nigeria is completing her visit.
Among others, these three start-ups will be showcasing their businesses to the German Chancellor and her delegation:
Salbix Foods
Salbix produces a highly nutritious and healthy cereal mix diet, locally known as ‘Tom Brown’ for weaning babies, malnourished infants, and toddlers but also for the entire family. This cereal mix easy to prepare and is characterized by a good taste and richness of minerals and vitamins. Currently, ten (10) pharmacies, supermarkets and corner shops in Accra have added the Salbix’s Cereal Mix to their product line.
Dext Technology
Dext Technology’s award-winning innovative product the “Science Set” is a user-friendly and affordable miniaturized science laboratory. Designed and locally manufactured in Ghana, the Science Set is set to revolutionize the way science is studied at the basic school level. The science set is a mini science lab. It is a portable box that contains materials for performing basic experiments in the upper primary and Junior High School science syllabus. The science set enables teachers to teach more effectively through demonstration and practice.
Zaacoal
Zaacoal, a green energy social enterprise based in Accra-Ghana with a vision to transform how Africans and the world accesses clean fuels. Their product ‘Zaacoal’ is designed for this purpose. Zaacoal is a charcoal produced from organic waste material, particularly coconut waste. It burns hotter than regular charcoal and lasts thrice as long. The innovative Zaarcoal offers the chance to help protect the environment, clean the city, protect our forests, reduce indoor air pollution and empower our women.
About GIZ
As a provider of international cooperation services for sustainable development and international education work, GIZ is dedicated to building a future worth living around the world. GIZ has over 50 years of experience in a wide variety of areas, including economic development and employment, energy and the environment, and peace and security. The diverse expertise of our federal enterprise is in demand around the globe, with the German Government, European Union institutions, the United Nations, the private sector and governments of other countries all benefiting from our services. We work with businesses, civil society actors and research institutions, fostering successful interaction between development policy and other policy fields and areas of activity. The German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) is our main commissioning party.
Currently, GIZ promotes sustainable development in Ghana via many programmes and projects. Our activities cover currently three priority areas of German Development Cooperation: Agriculture, Governance and Sustainable Economic Development. Additionally, our portfolio extends to other areas such as peace and security, renewable energy and climate and environment. Another focus of GIZ’s work is linking business interests with development-policy goals. Most of the programmes and projects we support in Ghana have successfully brought together national and international private companies, the public sector, and civil society groups to collaborate on development initiatives.
About Impact Hub
Impact Hub is a locally rooted and globally connected network with a rapidly expanding community of 16,000+ members in 100+ locations across the globe. From Accra to Sao Paulo, Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, Impact Hub offers a unique ecosystem of resources, inspiration, and collaboration opportunities to drive entrepreneurial action and increase positive impact on the world.
Chancellor Merkel’s visit to Impact Hub Accra works towards the following SDGs:
