By Kwame Bediako
Germany is deepening its engagement with West Africa through the establishment of a new German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) office in Accra, Ghana, aimed at bolstering academic and scientific cooperation. The new office will oversee collaborations in Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria — key countries in the region with growing educational potential. This strategic move underscores Germany’s commitment to expanding its influence in Africa’s educational landscape, recognizing the region’s increasing importance in global population and student mobility trends.
According to DAAD President Prof. Dr. Joybrato Mukherjee, the region’s significance for Germany and Europe is expected to grow substantially by 2050, with West Africa’s share of the global population projected to reach 25 percent. Universities and research institutions in Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria have already become vital partners for German universities, and this regional expansion aims to further strengthen these links. Mukherjee highlighted science diplomacy as a key tool in enhancing security and resilience in the geopolitically challenging Sahel zone, describing science as a “hard currency” in foreign policy.
Since 2000, the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) has actively supported educational exchange with Ghana, which has now become the third most popular destination for Ghanaian students. Over the past 25 years, scholarships awarded to Ghanaians have increased tenfold, while institutional collaborations have nearly tripled. The flourishing network of students, alumni, and researchers between Germany and Ghana exemplifies the success of this partnership, laying a strong foundation for further growth in the region.
The new regional office, one of only two in sub-Saharan Africa, signifies the increasing importance of West African countries as scientific and academic partners for Germany. Currently, approximately 13,500 students from Ghana, Cameroon, and Nigeria are enrolled at German universities, with around 130 partnerships already established. The office will serve as a vital contact point on the ground, providing guidance to students and researchers while promoting Germany as a hub of innovation and education in the region.
This expansion not only aims to facilitate knowledge transfer and network building but also addresses the lack of a central on-site contact point for German universities seeking collaborations in West Africa. By offering local advice and access to opportunities, Germany hopes to foster more robust academic ties, ultimately contributing to regional stability and development through science and education diplomacy.
