The forecast is similar for South Africa whose problems have been compounded by political unrest and severe lockdowns. "South Africa is deeply integrated into global value chains and thus its economy is vulnerable in the same way European economies are," said Christoph Kannengiesser, head of the German African Business Association.

“We are heading in the right direction,” says Stefan Liebing, chairman of the Africa Association of German Business, “but the dimension is not yet.”

African leaders are meeting German Chancellor Angela Merkel at the Africa-Summit in Berlin. The conference — Merkel's final with Africa — is to take stock of results from an economic drive to boost investment in Africa.

Germany’s parliament recently approved a new supply chain law that will make larger companies legally responsible for human rights and environmental abuses within their global supply chains.

“Creating and maintaining secure access to food systems in Africa is crucial for the continent’s economic development,” said Stefan Liebing, Chairman of the Africa Association of German Business at the opening of the 7th German-African Agribusiness Forum (GAAF).

The continent is witnessing rapid urbanization and improving economies, prompting experts to dub it the final frontier for global carmakers. The German auto industry is switching gears with billions at stake.