The AFRIKA KOMMT! initiative was set-up in 2008 by leading DAX-listed enterprises and large family-run companies in Germany. The main idea behind the initiative is to provide young African managers from African countries with an opportunity to come to Germany and familiarize themselves with our business concepts. At the same time, the programme provides a framework for sustainable economic cooperation with Africa. The German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Federal Foreign Office and German embassies in Africa actively support AFRIKA KOMMT!. The young professionals who are chosen first acquire a basic knowledge of German in their home countries. Once they arrive in Germany, they spend another three months building on these language skills. At the same time, management courses run by GIZ prepare participants for their work in the companies. Regular evaluations guarantee quality and company satisfaction. As part of the programme they spend eight months in their partner companies. At the end of their internships, the future managers become part of GIZ's alumni network in their home countries. The selection of participants from Africa is a particularly demanding process. For example for the eighth set of participants, 47 candidates were chosen from a total of 5.524 applicants. The following companies and foundations are taking part in the ninth round of the programme: • Bayer AG • Boehringer Ingelheim GmbH • Robert Bosch GmbH • B. Braun Melsungen AG • Alfred Kärcher SE & Co. KG • Merck KGaA • SAP SE • Siemens Healthineers GmbH • Voith GmbH & Co. KGaA The German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Federal Foreign Office and the German embassies in Africa actively support AFRIKA KOMMT!. For further information visit our webiste www.afrika-kommt.de.