German Chancellor Angela Merkel arrived in Mali on Sunday as part of a three-day trip to Africa where she is expected to promote private investment opportunities within the continent, in hopes of curbing the current migrant influx in Europe. On arriving to Mali, Merkel spoke out against the ongoing migration to Europe, warning that it’s causing a serious brain drain in Africa, according to Deutsche Welle.
“It is important that Africa does not lose its best minds,” Merkel told the press.
She also emphasized the need to establish clear cooperation in economic development and military support in Mali, Deutsche Welle reports.
Merkel also held talks with Mali’s President Ibrahim Boubacar Keita, where the two discussed a range of issues regarding cooperation between the two nations and the need for economic stability in Africa to curb migration to Europe.
She is the first German chancellor to visit Mali, where more than 550 German soldiers are currently battling Islamist insurgents in the northern region.
Investing in Africa
Merkel will also visit Niger and Ethiopia, where she will tour the African Union headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia’s capital.
She is expected to discuss investment better conditions and opportunities for private investors and the importance of having a stable economy in Africa.
“I believe we must take a far greater interest in Africa’s destiny. The wellbeing of Africa is in Germany’s interest,” she said.
She also promised to make Africa the main agenda at the upcoming G-20 presidency summit in China.
According to Merkel, state support alone cannot advance the development of an entire continent. So she is calling on African governments to create a favorable environment for private investors.
Last year, 890,000 migrants relocated to Germany, with the majority arriving from war-ravaged countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, and Syria, while many others fled Africa due to economic hardships and a lack of opportunities.
Worsening African Migration to Europe
Earlier this month, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published a report warning against the increasing number of Africans migrating to Europe.
According to the report, skilled workers from sub-Saharan Africa are migrating to the west in staggering numbers, causing a brain drain that is likely to have long-term social damage.
The IMF further warned that unless drastic measures are taken, the number of Africans leaving the continent is expected to increase from 7 million in 2013 to about 34 million by 2050.
