Just this year alone, an estimated 400,000 African migrants will flee to Germany, escaping either war or poverty, or both. If nothing is done, officials warn, millions more could arrive in coming years. Yet rather than simply seek solutions in Africa to this flood of humanity, Germany decided last year to first tally up its own indifference toward the continent.<\/p>\n
Among the 400,000 companies in Germany, fewer than 1,000 invest in Africa, officials found. And Germany\u2019s trade with Africa amounts to only 2 percent of its total foreign trade.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat has to change!\u201d declared Gerd M\u00fcller, Germany\u2019s development minister, in February.<\/p>\n
This humble introspection may help explain why German Chancellor Angela Merkel was so successful at the Group of 20 summit on July 7-8 in winning support from most of the world\u2019s wealthiest nations for a major boost in private investment for Africa. Dubbed the \u201cMerkel Plan\u201d (a play on America\u2019s Marshall Plan that revived postwar Germany), the initiative aims to shift global thinking about the business opportunities in Africa. Only then can investment in both entrepreneurs and infrastructure rise, helping to create jobs and discourage migration.<\/p>\n