About 131,600 foreigners became naturalised German citizens in 2021, according to a new report by the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis). The figure represents an increase of roughly 21,700 naturalisations, or 20%, compared with the previous year. More than half of the increase is attributable to the large number of naturalisations of Syrians; 19,100 Syrian citizens were naturalised in 2021, which …

Since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine on 24 February, more than 600,000 Ukrainians and people of other nationalities resident in the country have entered Germany to seek refuge. Among the refugees are Africans, most of whom are students. Africans fleeing the war have been reportedly discriminated against while crossing the country’s borders into safety. Beyond their unsavoury …

Germany announced on 11 June that it had provisionally lifted all COVID-19 entry restrictions to the country. Travel from non-EU countries to Germany is now permitted for all purposes (including tourism and visits) and no proof of vaccination, recovery or testing is required any longer. “Visas as required for entry into Germany may be applied for with the German Consulate …

Ecobank Nigeria, an affiliate of the leading Pan-African banking Group, Ecobank Group, is extending its promotion of culture and tradition to the Lagos community through Adire festival. Themed ‘EPAC Adire Lagos Experience’, the exhibition will be held at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Lagos from Friday, June 10 till Sunday, June 12, 2022. Originating from Abeokuta in Southwestern …

Building strong associations is a major challenge to self-organisation in the African community in Europe. There’re many groups but they’re not working together and therefore unable to fulfil their primary mission of empowering their communities. A new association in Germany wants to change all that. African-German Association (AGA) e.V. is bringing a new approach to building a strong community. It …

The federal government plans to reform the country’s migration laws. Among the features of the reform is the grant under certain conditions of regular residence permit to well-integrated asylum-seekers who have been living in Germany for more than five years with a so-called ‘tolerated stay permit’ (Duldung). A total of up to 105,000 people, whose deportation has been repeatedly suspended …

European Investment Bank provides €75 million to Institut Pasteur de Dakar for new vaccine manufacturing facility. The facility is expected to significantly reduce Africa’s dependence on imported vaccines and support equal access to vaccines DAKAR, Senegal, June 3, 2022/ — Large-scale financing for the new vaccine manufacturing facility of the Institut Pasteur de Dakar, a leader in the field in …

Excellent news for all workers in Germany. The federal parliament, the Bundestag, on Friday passed a bill raising minimum wage from 8.82 euros to 9.82 euros per hour from 1 July and to 12 euros on 1 October. The increase will affect 6.2 million people, out of an active working population of 45.2 million people. The bill was passed by …

The new Nigerian national carrier, Nigeria Air, has scaled one of the mandatory regulatory hurdles on Monday when it was presented the Air Transport Licence (ATL). The licence was presented by the Director General of the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), Captain Musa Nuhu, to the interim management of the airline, led by Capt. Dapo Olumide, in Abuja. The approval …

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, today (7 June) announced the launch of Virgin Music Label & Artist Services in Africa, a new dedicated distribution service for independent African artists and labels across the continent. The label services division launches with more than 15000 titles, 50 label partners and 100+ artists from more than 25 African …

The Consul General of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in Frankfurt, Mr Wahab Akande, has pledged that passports would henceforth be issued six to eight weeks after the biometric data capturing of the applicants. The envoy made the pledge when he received a joint delegation of the Nigerian Community Germany (NCG) e.V. and the Concerned Nigerians Germany (CNG) e.V. on …

People of African descent have been part of European societies for decades and even centuries. Scholars, journalists and activists will gather in Berlin on 10-12 June to interrogate the history of organisation in Black communities in Europe. The international conference, entitled Black Europe: The Beginnings of Black Self-Organization in Europe, will examine the question of when, where and how Black …

The United Nations has confirmed Turkey’s name change: The country will now be called Türkiye in all languages. The English name Turkey will no longer be used at the request of the government in Ankara, UN spokesperson Stéphane Dujarric announced on Thursday. Turkey had previously submitted a request to this effect. Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu had tweeted a photo …

The Governor of Edo State, Mr Godwin Obaseki, will meet indigenes of Edo State living in Germany virtually and physically on Saturday, 4 June. The physical meeting will take place at the Mercure Hotel in Berlin. Governor Obaseki will interact with citizens of his state on issues of common concern. Many Edo indigenes in the diaspora have concrete suggestions on …

Afro-German activist Katharina Oguntoye has been awarded the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany (Bundesverdienstkreuz). The Order, colloquially known as the Federal Cross of Merit, is awarded to German and foreign citizens for political, social-economic and intellectual achievements as well as for serving the Federal Republic of Germany, such as through social engagement. Oguntoye (63) was presented …

A new month is here and we have put together some of the changes you should know about if you live in Germany. On the one hand, the first measures in the 2022 relief package to cushion the effect of rising energy costs enter into effect on 1 June. And there are also other important new regulations and laws. Here …

DAKAR, Senegal, May 31, 2022/ — President Macky Sall of Senegal has inaugurated the world’s largest purpose-built hospital ship and committed to accelerate access to surgical, obstetric and anesthetic care for the nations of Africa. Ceremonies commemorated more than 30 years of service in Africa were held on Monday in Dakar. International humanitarian organization Mercy Ships and its partners in …

EU countries have generously been welcoming of the refugees from Ukraine since the Russian invasion of the country on 24 February. These are largely spared bureaucratic hurdles as they receive residence permits without individual assessment and have access to the job market, welfare benefits and other social support. In the shadow of the refugee crisis are the so-called third-country nationals …

The Nigerian man who set out in London on 19 April for a road trip to Lagos arrived in Nigeria to a rousing welcome on Sunday. Kunle Adeyanju, also known as ‘The Lion Heart’, travelled from London to Lagos on a motorcycle to campaign against Polio and raise awareness of the disease. “It’s been a heck of a ride. It’s …

Against the background of the difficult situation of non-Ukrainian nationals from Ukraine who were displaced by the war in the country and are currently seeking refuge in Germany, refugee, rights and diaspora support groups have issued an open letter to the Federal Interior Minister, demanding that all refugees from Ukraine should be treated equally. —— OPEN LETTER On the occasion …