Our network for companies
Sustainable business activities in developing countries and emerging economies offer plenty of opportunities, but are also complex: How does the market in question work? What entry points do you need? Which funding programme is right for me? German development cooperation provides comprehensive solutions. It offers companies a broad portfolio of advisory and support services – from financing instruments and accompanying measures to a variety of cooperation opportunities in all phases of international business activities and along entire value chains.
Your intermediary for strategic contacts
But how do companies use these services and harness their economic opportunities? This is precisely where the Agency for Business and Economic Development (AWE) comes in. You benefit from our long-standing experience, expertise and country-specific insights. We work with reliable political and economic partners in developing countries and emerging economies. Through our network, we connect you with suitable local contacts at embassies or in German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs) and assist you in establishing viable business partnerships. Furthermore, we bring together investors, expertise, resources, ideas, projects and decision-makers – to turn potential into concrete projects.
Proximity to foreign trade
Our Business Scouts are stationed within AHKs and business associations and serve as a central link to our partners. In our networking forums, which we organise jointly with our partners, they support companies in an advisory role. In addition to the ‘Deep Dives’ we run in partnership with the German/Ukrainian Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK), our key events include the regular digital Africa Lounge, organised in cooperation with the Africa Business Network. These 45-minute video calls provide companies with individual advice and all the information they need to be able to operate in Africa. Agencies and business associations like Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), Baden-Württemberg International and the Bavarian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) and Chambers of Skilled Crafts (HWKs) also bundle their knowledge and make it available to companies on their websites.
How our network can benefit you:
- Guidance in complex markets: Business Scouts are stationed within the AHKs, giving companies access to local expertise and strategic advisory services – a crucial advantage in dynamic markets that are often difficult to navigate.
- Cross-sectoral impetus: Cooperating with business associations keeps us abreast of needs and developments within the private sector.
- Strategic networking: Networking forums create space for direct dialogue with experts and therefore offer an opportunity to make suitable contacts and build strategic partnerships at an early stage.
- Access to innovation ecosystems: AWE’s regional presence, including through the Partners in Transformation (PIT) Desks, allows companies to become part of local innovation networks and work with local partners to develop ideas and put them into practice.
- Creation of interest groups: The network allows actors to find others with common interests and be stronger together.
- Concentrated knowledge at a glance: Obtain comprehensive analyses of growth markets and use them to evaluate conditions for development cooperation projects.
Unser Netzwerk für Außenwirtschaftsberatung
Germany Trade & Invest
Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) is the economic development agency of the Federal Republic of Germany. With more than 50 locations worldwide, GTAI uses its partner network to support German companies on their path to foreign markets, promotes Germany as a business location and assists foreign companies in setting up in Germany. The agency provides an extensive range of information on global economic and sector trends, legal and customs regulations, investment and development projects, invitations to tender, and the business and cooperation requirements of potential partners abroad. GTAI largely posts this information free of charge online or makes it available in brochures and magazines. The agency also manages the iXPOS foreign trade portal and Africa Business Guide, a digital platform.
To Germany Trade & InvestAfrica Business Network
The Africa Business Network of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE) offers a comprehensive range of advisory and support services for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). It brings together established actors from development cooperation and foreign trade promotion and refers companies to the appropriate contacts. For example, for foreign trade promotion, contacts include the network of German Chambers of Commerce Abroad (AHKs), Germany Trade & Invest, BMWE’s export initiatives and its Market Development Programme (MEP), and business associations and institutions with expertise relating to Africa.
The Africa Business Network Office gives companies looking to operate in Africa a personal contact to assist them with their business projects. This partner provides an initial overview of the support services available, refers companies to the relevant foreign trade promotion and development cooperation organisations and agencies for more in-depth advice, and supports them throughout the advisory process. The service is provided on a cross-sectoral basis for all African countries.
To the Africa Business NetworkAfrica Business Guide
The Africa Business Guide is the online platform of the Africa Business Network. Companies interested in Africa, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, can find the relevant information and contacts here relating to business with Africa. Clear profiles of the African countries provide a summary of their economic development, strengths and weaknesses, opportunities in promising sectors and the general conditions for market access. The Africa Business Guide focuses on a practical and relevant approach. Companies already operating locally therefore also provide input. They report on the challenges and opportunities in Africa. In the Africa Business Guide, those interested in Africa can find information on the support and advisory services offered by Africa Business Network partners, along with their latest news and event updates. The Africa Business Guide is provided by Germany Trade & Invest on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE).
To the Africa Business GuideGTAI Export Guide
The GTAI Export Guide is the central platform for German foreign trade and a source of information for companies looking to prepare international operations, tap into foreign markets or conduct export business. The portal pools information from more than 70 institutions, organisations and networks that support German companies with their business activities abroad. Here, companies can find information on the Market Development Programme (MEP) of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy (BMWE), for example. The GTAI Export Guide brings partners of German foreign trade promotion together in a network.
To the GTAI Export GuideGlobal success – the Bavarian foreign trade portal
The Bavarian foreign trade portal (Außenwirtschaftsportal Bayern) is a service run by the Bavarian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (IHKs) and Chambers of Skilled Crafts (HWKs) for Bavarian companies. Here, companies interested in foreign markets can find a wealth of information, including on funding programmes to tap into new target markets and on legal, tax and customs regulations. One focus is cooperation with developing countries. BMZ’s Business Scouts for Development at the Foreign Trade Centre Bavaria guide companies through funding and financing programmes that make engagement in Africa, Asia and Latin America easier.
To the Bavarian foreign trade portalBaden-Württemberg International
Baden-Württemberg International (BW_i) is the competence centre of the federal state of Baden-Württemberg for the internationalisation of business and science and research. It supports companies, research institutions and universities in Germany and abroad with matters relating to internationalisation. One of its primary tasks is to assist companies in Baden-Württemberg in tapping into foreign markets. As part of this, Baden-Württemberg International organises trips for small and medium-sized enterprises to conduct market research and initiate new business. The delegation visits enable participants to familiarise themselves with sector trends and business sectors abroad and provide a platform for initial contact with potential business partners. The competence centre is the central point of contact in the country for foreign investors.
To Baden-Württemberg InternationalIHK Reutlingen: Competence Centre Sub-Saharan Africa
The Chamber of Industry and Commerce Reutlingen (IHK Reutlingen) focuses on sub-Saharan Africa, where it facilitates market entry for its member companies. A development cooperation scout working at IHK Reutlingen on behalf of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) advises companies interested in doing business in Africa, for example on funding and financing programmes. The Competence Centre works closely with all German business representatives, the German Chamber of Commerce Abroad (AHK) offices in sub-Saharan Africa, the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH and the Deutsche Investitions- und Entwicklungsgesellschaft mbH (DEG). It organises regular events and delegation visits, publishes a regular newsletter for Africa and brings companies together in the IHK network for sub-Saharan Africa.
To the Competence Centre Sub-Saharan Africa
