LIVING IN GERMANY

The recent state elections in Thuringia and Saxony have caused significant political tremors in Germany, highlighting the growing strength of far-right movements and raising concerns about the future of its democratic system. In Thuringia, the Alternative for Germany (AfD) achieved a historic win, becoming the first far-right party since World War II to win a state election, securing 33% of …

Like almost every month, September 2024 brings important changes, including new laws, that affect residents of Germany. For instance, building owners using gas heating must now have their systems inspected and stricter hand luggage rules for air travellers apply. Among others, a new feature will be introduced in health insurance apps and stricter emission standards for new vehicle registrations will …

Following the knife attack in Solingen last Friday, the German government has announced new measures to enhance security in the country. These include tightening gun laws and cancelling benefits for certain asylum-seekers. The government plans to revoke state benefits for asylum-seekers who fall under the responsibility of another European country according to the Dublin Regulation and which has agreed to …

Ahead of the state elections in Thuringia and Saxony on Sunday, 1 September 2024, the Turkish Association in Berlin-Brandenburg (Türkische Bund in Berlin-Brandenburg or TBB) has issued an appeal to voters, urging them to “vote democratically.” “We are deeply concerned by the latest forecasts for the upcoming state elections in Thuringia and Saxony,” said Ayşe Demir, spokesperson for the TBB …

Kenyan-born social entrepreneur and advocate for African girls, women and families in Germany, Virginia Wangare Greiner, is one of the two recipients of the ‘HeroinesAward 2024’ (HeldinnenAward 2024). Awarded by the Alice Schwarzer Foundation, the ‘HeroinesAward’ recognizes women who fight courageously and with dedication to improve the situation of women, whether through their professional work, social engagement or personal commitment. …

After a long struggle, Berlin’s Peters Allee will be renamed Maji Maji Allee and Anna Mungunda Allee on Friday (23 August). The previous name, Petersallee, honoured Carl Peters, founder of the colony of German East Africa, who was notorious for his crimes against Africans. The new street names commemorate two significant figures: Anna Mungunda, a Namibian national heroine who fought …

Owning a house in their home countries is a common investment diaspora Africans have to make. They do so for a variety of reasons. Building a home at home is like building a future at home as many migrants would like to spend life after retirement in their countries of origin. Some also build to provide a home for ageing …

Black people have been living in Germany for several centuries. Their community is very diverse, ranging from African-descended Germans, whose roots may go back to the first African community more than 100 years ago, to Africans who arrived more recently to seek refuge or to join their spouses or study and have meanwhile settled down and raised children. However, there …

I still can’t believe I got my first job in Germany by speaking to the person sitting next to me on the S-Bahn. If you know anything about Germany, it’s that everyone minds their own business on the train. So, gathering the courage to ask a question was not an easy feat. But that question changed my life forever. “What …

The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Germany held its “Networking Summit for Nigerians in Germany” on Saturday (27 July) in Berlin. The event was “designed to identify potential solutions for fostering Nigeria’s economic development” and “an opportunity to contribute to efforts to find solutions to the myriad problems confronting our nation,” according to NIDO Germany. Dr (Engr) Moses Ogun, President …

Many institutions are currently making attempts to revisit their colonial past. In Dortmund, the LWL Museum Zeche Zollern recently opened the exhibition “Das ist kolonial” which will run until 26 October 2025. The exhibition is an attempt to make Westphalia’s role and (in)visible legacy of colonialism visible. In Dresden, an exhibition entitled “Menschen anSchauen” at the Stadtmuseum ended on 7 …

August 2024 brings numerous changes affecting various aspects of everyday life in Germany. Here is a comprehensive overview of the most important changes. Submit your 2023 tax return on time! One of the most important deadlines in August concerns the submission of tax returns for 2023. Anyone who prepares their own taxes must submit their return by 2 September 2024. …

Press Release – Berlin, 26 July 2024 │The first Afro Football Forum will take place at the NIO House, Kurfurstendamm, Berlin on 15 August, with the theme Impact Beyond the Pitch. The Afro Football Forum is a meeting point for Africans working in football in Europe. It will bring together industry professionals working in football media, management, agency, marketing as …

On Saturday (20 July), the streets of Berlin resonated with the voices of about a hundred protesters from the Black community and their allies, who gathered to express their outrage and demand justice for the recent killing of William Chedjou. The 37-year-old Cameroonian man was stabbed to death by a Turkish man during an argument over parking space on 11 …

Hi there, I’m Nesa. If you haven’t read the previous episodes, I advise you to stop reading. Go back, read them, and then come back. Don’t worry; I’ll be right here waiting for you. And if you’ve already read the previous episodes, buckle up, and let’s continue our journey. I would not call myself a DADA BEE (a Ghanaian colloquialism). …

William Chedjou, a Cameroonian, was stabbed to death during an argument over parking space on Thursday evening in Berlin. The incident took place shortly after 6 pm in Böttgerstraße and the victim and perpetrator did not previously know each other, the police said. According to media reports, the 37-year-old man was stabbed in the stomach by a Turkish man, initially …

Hi again, Nesa here. Welcome back to the second episode of my journey. Today, we dive into my experience relocating from Ghana to Germany, a journey that redefined my path and taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, starting afresh, and seizing opportunities. To be honest, I never imagined I would settle in Germany. Born here but raised in Ghana, I …

Karamba Diaby, the first African-born member of the German parliament, has announced that he would not run in next year’s federal election. Dr Diaby, who was first elected into the Bundestag in 2013, wants to spend more time with his family and make way for younger politicians. Here’s the public statement he issued on Wednesday to announce his decision not …

Concerned about their homeland, which is experiencing tough economic times, Nigerians in Germany will gather in Berlin on 27 July. The summit, which will feature expert panel discussions, an exhibition of Nigerian start-ups and cultural events, will produce a communique with recommendations for the Nigerian government. Nigeria is currently experiencing challenging economic conditions due to significant policy decisions implemented by …

In her new short autobiographic book, Cologne-based legal scholar and creative author Nesa narrates her story, of an African girl who was born in Germany but raised in the continent and now lives in the country of her birth. This is the first episode of Nesa’s chronicle Hi, I’m Nesa, and over the next ten weeks, I’ll be taking you …