Today, the German chancellor Angela Merkel begins a three- day visit to Ghana, Senegal, and Nigeria. Officially, this tour is to tighten economic relations with these countries and find solutions to curb the flow of illegal migration.

Experts explain that this tour marks Germany’s growing interest in Africa. Indeed, last year, the country launched a private investment promotion programme aimed at the infrastructures sector in Africa and “Marshall Plan with Africa” which provides a new direction to its relations with the continent.

In a video statement published on the German chancellery’s website on 19 August 2018, Angela Merkel explained that “African countries could be a good market” since “other countries are already active there”.

An example of such countries is the UK, which recently secured a post-Brexit deal with South Africa during the Prime Minister Theresa May’s ongoing visit to South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya.

The three-day tour will start with Senegal; the Chancellor will then fly to Ghana and conclude with Nigeria.