Africa is changing rapidly. As such it is typical of an age in which much is in flux. In recent years, Africa has quite rightly also increasingly become a focus of global interest. The continent used to seem so distant. Too distant, even! We still know too little about this vast region, about its countries and societies. We therefore used the German G8 and EU Presidencies in 2007 to give Africa the prominent place it deserved on the international agenda.

In dialogue with our African partners we agreed on an action plan that addresses key issues such as climate change, poverty alleviation and economic development. In our political partnership with Africa we are concentrating quite deliberately on supporting home-grown initiatives, so that Africa can solve its problems by itself and shape its own destiny. This is also the route that our "Aktion Afrika" programme seeks to follow. Our aim is to speak directly to the people – through sports or school exchanges, through fellowship programmes and through special "cultural weeks".

If we are to master the challenges of the 21st century, we need all the major actors on board. We want to involve them as equal partners, on the basis of fair rules for all. The establishment of the African Union (AU) in 2002, the creation of the New Partnership for Africa's Development (NEPAD), as well as the enhanced role now played by Regional Economic Communities (REC) in Africa and the emergence of a new political elite in Africa's states, are indicative of important changes. These things all point in the right direction. Indeed, Africa now presents numerous opportunities which have to be seized.

The EU remains Africa's main trading partner and the largest export market for African goods. Around 85% of Africa's cotton, fruit and vegetable exports are destined for European Union countries. But it is primarily in the context of development cooperation that Europe is pursuing pioneering approaches based on partnership. We do not want to fritter away our resources on a mish-mash of small projects. We are working together with the AU Commission and the Governments of the AU member states in pursuit of a major goal: We want to create the conditions needed for the shared values referred to by Europe and Africa in the Joint Strategy, such as development, good governance and the rule of law, to take root.

Africa's image is, it is true, still marred by trouble spots such as Somalia, the Sudan and Zimbabwe. The ongoing financial, economic and food crises also need to be taken very seriously. But I am convinced that Africa will master these challenges if it is better integrated into the global economy. Did you know that three of the seven fastest growing economies in the world in 2008 were to be found in Africa? They were Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda. The German Government thus considers Africa to be a new priority region for its external economic affairs policy. Germany's activities are in line with the goals of the EU-Africa Strategy and are undertaken within its framework. Under the auspices of a political partnership between the EU and Africa, the Strategy addresses issues and problems of mutual interest such as:

 migration, peace and security, human rights, science, climate and the environment;
 the realization of the Millennium Development Goals by 2015 by the countries of Africa and the promotion of peace and security, sustainable development, human rights and good governance;
 coordinated action by the two sides in international fora and a joint response to global challenges;
 the promotion of a people-centred partnership that includes civil society.

We will only master the challenges, successfully meet the goals and surmount the present crises if we work together. African-European and African-German cooperation is of paramount importance. With the EU-Africa Strategy and the action plans drawn up to implement it, we now have the necessary instruments with which to vigorously pursue this cooperation. And I am certain that businesses in Germany will play a major role in this endeavour.

We invite you, as businessmen and women who are active in Africa, to help implement this Strategy. Trade, investment and the exchange of experience are key factors for our shared future. I am delighted that Wegweiser GmbH Berlin and the German-African Business Association have produced a guide for German companies that sets out the many facets and opportunities presented by the African continent, which is rich in so many ways. Trade brings change. Let us all seize this opportunity for change!