COMESA secretary general Sindiso Ngwenya says African countries have a lot to learn from Germany’s industrialization process.

Speaking when he received German Ambassador to Zambia Achim Burkat’s credentials today, Ngwenya said African countries had a lot to learn from Germany.

“As COMESA countries embark on industralisation, the experience of Germany on how to achieve economic diversification through manufacturing will provide valuable lessons,” Ngwenya said.

He observed that trade between Africa and Germany had accelerated over the last decade.

“Imports from Germany to the Sub-Sahara region have increased and so have exports increased with a  similar magnitude; they have increased by over 133 percent between 2002 and 2012. Imports of food and other commodities have however decreased as a share of total imports; the top three imports from Africa are fuel, agriculture commodities and some manufacturing but over 75 percent of all exports are fuel,” said Ngwenya.

Ngwenya also said he was hopeful that Germany’s commitment to long-term cooperation in the energy sector would enhance the access of energy in the remote villages of Africa.

Meanwhile, Ambassodor Burkat commended COMESA for taking a leading role in uniting African countries.

Ambassador Burkat, who is also Germany’s Special Representative to COMESA, observed that cooperation between African countries was key for the promotion of development and crisis prevention.