Why Germany is lending millions to South Africa
South Africa is receiving a multi-million loan from the state development bank KfW. It is intended to advance the energy transition in the country, which has so far been more concerned about blackouts.
It was supposed to be the symbolic conclusion of her first trip to Africa: a meeting between German Development Minister Reem Alabali Radovan ( SPD ) and South Africa’s Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana. In a hotel at Johannesburg Airport, bilateral talks were to take place, as well as the signing of a loan from the state development bank KfW – to support the energy transition in South Africa .
But the meeting didn’t take place. The minister canceled, saying he was ill—no meeting, no pictures. However, the loan was still available: 500 million euros. This had already been agreed upon beforehand.
