Alle Folgen

Africa’s Economic Rise: Opportunities and Lessons for German Business

23.04.2026•46:39

In this episode, host Dr Matthias Catón is joined by Dr Tevin Tafese, development economist and research fellow at the German Institute for Global and Area Studies (GIGA), to assess the dynamic economic landscape of Africa and its meaning for international business. Together they unpack the continent’s diversity, growth prospects, and innovation potential, as well as the misconceptions and opportunities that shape external engagement. About the guest Dr Tevin Tafese Dr Tevin Tafese is a development economist and Research Fellow at the GIGA Institute for African Affairs in Hamburg, where he is part of the research programme “Globalisation and Development”. His research examines economic development in the Global South, especially in Africa, with a focus on trade, foreign direct investment, labour markets, and structural change. A growing part of his work explores how digital transformation and Africa’s emerging technology sector are creating new opportunities, challenges, and lessons for employment and economic development on the continent. Beyond his academic research, Dr. Tafese contributes to evidence-based policy advice and regularly engages wider audiences through public speaking. He holds a PhD in Economics from the University of Göttingen. WebsiteLinkedIn Key Topics Africa’s Economic Diversity The conversation begins with a reality check: While Africa boasts strong headline growth rates and is projected to reach a combined economic output of $3.3 trillion this year, Tevin Tafese emphasises the need to recognise deep differences across its 54 economies. He cautions against viewing Africa as a monolith, noting wide variations in growth drivers, sectoral development, and demographic trends. Challenging Stereotypes Tevin Tafese challenges persistent stereotypes about Africa, arguing that narratives which focus solely on poverty and instability risk overlooking a continent with vibrant innovation, booming economies and a surging young population expected to shape global demand for decades. Africa’s Industrialisation Challenge Examining the engines of growth, Tevin Tafese describes a landscape largely shaped by agriculture, minerals, and hydrocarbons, with conspicuously fewer countries engaging in export-oriented manufacturing. The discussion contrasts this path with the industrialisation journey of Asian tiger economies and explores whether Africa can or must move up the value chain through local processing and manufacturing. Africa’s Rising Tech Hubs The discussion highlights Africa’s fast-evolving tech scene, punctuated by the rise of venture capital investment and a wave of startups transforming sectors like fintech, health, mobility, and energy. Innovations such as mobile money have “leapfrogged” legacy systems, bypassing developmental bottlenecks faced elsewhere. Tevin Tafese points to major tech hubs in Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt as evidence of continental dynamism. Looking Ahead: Bold Predictions Looking ahead, Tevin Tafese predicts a diverse future for African economies. Some countries, leveraging reforms, resources, and entrepreneurial energy, will rise as central players in global industries. However, others may struggle with instability or governance challenges. Ultimately, Africa’s future will be shaped by its ability to harness youth potential, integrate markets and negotiate smart partnerships within a shifting geopolitical order. Executive Briefing – what you should read now “The future of Africa will be shaped by investment rather than aid”, The Economist VoxDev Blog Series on Export-Oriented Development and Industrialisation – An accessible synthesis of research on how manufacturing and trade integration have historically driven prosperity, offering critical insights for Africa’s evolving development models. Conclusion This episode dispels the outdated image of Africa as merely a source of raw materials or international aid recipient. Instead, Tevin Tafese highlights a continent where demographic vibrancy, resource abundance, and business innovation converge, creating both promise and complexity for companies looking to invest or trade. The discussion urges business leaders to revisit Africa with greater nuance, attention to local realities, and boldness in recognising long-term market opportunities.

Climate Change and Maritime Security

26.03.2026•33:25

This episode, presented by the German Maritime Centre, examines the profound interplay between climate change and maritime security within a shifting geopolitical landscape. The conversation uncovers how environmental pressures are increasingly influencing global trade, security policies, and industrial competitiveness, drawing on Dr. Kira Vinke’s extensive fieldwork and policy expertise. About the guest Dr. Kira Vinke Dr Kira Vinke is Deputy Research Director at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and Head of the Centre for Climate and Foreign Policy. With nearly a decade’s experience at the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research, she has also advised Germany’s International Development Agency and the Asian Development Bank. Her research includes fieldwork in South Asia, the Pacific, and the Sahel – regions especially vulnerable to climate stress. Dr Vinke serves on Germany’s Federal Academy for Security Policy advisory board and contributes to various humanitarian and climate-focused organisations. Her recent work bridges rigorous science and policy at the nexus of climate and security. Key Topics The Climate-Geopolitics Intersection The episode explores how climate change and geopolitics have become inseparable, with climate impacts eroding livelihoods and destabilising regions, particularly where governance is fragile. Dr Vinke explains how climate stress can widen societal divides, emphasising the importance of addressing these linked challenges. Climate Impacts on Global Maritime Infrastructure Attention turns to the maritime sphere, investigating how rising sea levels, extreme storms, and the melting Arctic sea ice affect trade routes, fisheries, and coastal communities. Dr Vinke notes that disruptions to essential chokepoints like the Panama and Suez Canals highlight the vulnerability of global supply chains. Will the IMO’s Climate Agenda Survive? The discussion critically addresses the IMO’s stalled emissions regulations, examining the geopolitical pushback led by the US and its implications for international cooperation. Dr Vinke warns that continued reliance on fossil fuels, especially amid American energy dominance, may jeopardise both economic stability and climate targets, while China’s surge in renewables shapes future competitiveness. Strategic Advice for Business Leaders Dr Vinke offers actionable advice to business leaders, urging them to consult regional climate projections and adopt scenario planning in order to bolster resilience amid ongoing uncertainty. She advocates staying committed to climate targets, warning that abandoning them provides only short-term relief at the cost of long-term competitiveness and societal risk. A Bold Prediction Looking ahead, Dr Vinke presents two scenarios for the next decade: one in which the world pivots towards climate neutrality, protecting vital systems despite inevitable losses, and an alternative future marked by irreversible environmental damage and societal upheaval. She maintains an optimistic outlook, believing that collective capacity and foresight can deliver positive outcomes if action is taken. Conclusion Ultimately, this episode demonstrates that business leaders cannot afford to ignore the entwined risks of climate change and geopolitics; the choices made now will define resilience, competitiveness, and global stability in years to come. Executive Briefing – what you should read now Memo Series: Global Reordering 2026 – A set of concise briefings from the DGAP addressing shifts across trade, strategic competition in science, and other sectors, capturing diverse expertise and timely insights.Disruption of Arctic Exceptionalism – A DGAP analysis of the pressures facing the Arctic, from geopolitical contestation to environmental change and resource exploration. Despite being published two years ago, its relevance endures as global stakes rise.

Subsea Cables as Critical Infrastructure

02.03.2026•38:48

This episode, presented by the German Maritime Centre, explores the essential role of subsea cables as critical infrastructure underpinning global communications and business operations. Host Matthias Catón is joined by guests Camino Kavanagh and Jonas Franken, both experts in cyber security, international security, and maritime systems. What Are Subsea Cables? Subsea cables are fiber-optic systems laid across the seabed, connecting continents and islands for data transmission. They include not only the cables themselves but also landing stations, maintenance ships, repair logistics, and complex terrestrial links. The technology has advanced from telegraph cables to modern fiber optics, forming a backbone for the internet and communications. Scale and Complexity There are currently around 530 active international cable systems, with 70 more in the planning stages. Some cables connect just two points, while others are complex networks with up to 30 landing stations. Globally, over 1,600 cable landing stations exist, varying in size and complexity. Visibility and Public Awareness While most people rarely notice subsea cables, outages in places like Tonga, Southeast Asia, Norway, Ireland, and the Shetland Islands have raised awareness. Many still mistakenly believe internet connectivity is reliant on satellites, while in reality, subsea cables handle the overwhelming majority of data traffic. Redundancy and Resilience European countries enjoy high redundancy, ensuring minimal disruption from cable faults. In contrast, remote nations often rely on a single cable, making them more vulnerable to outages. Subsea cables are engineered for resilience, with backup options usually available, though incidents can still affect connectivity. Satellite vs. Subsea Cables Satellites serve a supplementary role, but subsea cables provide vastly superior bandwidth and lower latency. Even with modern satellite networks like Starlink, they cannot match the data volume or speed required for global internet infrastructure. Ownership and Financing Models Ownership is diverse: Major content providers such as Google, Meta, Amazon, and Microsoft, either individually or through consortia. Traditional telecom companies in consortia. Direct state involvement, including military-operated cables. Development bank funding—sometimes as part of diplomatic efforts. The European Union and the US are introducing more regulations, affecting industry operations. Business Implications Businesses—especially large, data-reliant firms—should consider cable resilience as part of their risk management. Industry groups such as the International Cable Protection Committee and the European Subsea Cable Association foster collaboration and dialogue. Medium and smaller businesses may face challenges in influencing infrastructure policy, but are equally reliant on connectivity. Regulatory Trends Regulation is increasing, especially across the EU (NIS2 Directive, Critical Entities Resilience Act) and the US (Federal Communications Commission rules). The challenge for policymakers and industry is to balance demanding security requirements with the need for operational flexibility and rapid response. Geopolitical Competition and Strategic Concerns Subsea cable networks are increasingly central in international competition, including concerns about reliance on equipment from certain foreign suppliers, particularly China. Security requirements may slow cable operations just when agility is needed most. Looking Ahead: Bold Predictions Jonas Franken predicts Antarctica will be connected to the subsea cable network in the next decade, marking symbolic global connectivity. Camino Cavanagh foresees subsea cables becoming even more contested and central to state competition, with industry facing greater challenges ahead. Conclusion Subsea cables are a crucial, yet often invisible, part of global infrastructure. Businesses and governments must increasingly account for resilience, security, and redundancy, given their importance to society and the economy. The episode emphasizes the need for awareness, collaboration, and proactive planning as the geopolitical and regulatory landscape evolves. About the guests Jonas Franken Jonas Franken is doctoral candidate at Science and Technology for Peace and Security (PEASEC) in the Department of Computer Science at the Technical University of Darmstadt. His research interests are located within the nexus of policy, technology, and international law, focusing on the resilience of Critical Information Infrastructures on land and at sea, as well as emerging problems in Maritime Security and the digitalization of Critical Infrastructures. He studied “Politics & Law” (B.A.) at the University of Münster and holds a Master’s degree in “International Studies / Peace and Conflict Research” (M.A.) from Goethe University Frankfurt, and Technical University of Darmstadt. The former member of the German Navy was for a long time engaged in civilian sea rescue. Website: https://peasec.de/team/franken/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonas-franken-711a6b147/Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/jonasfranken.bsky.social Camino Kavanagh Camino Kavanagh is a visiting Senior Fellow with the Dept. of War Studies, King’s College London and a Fellow with the United Nations Institute for Disarmament Research (UNIDIR). Her research covers topics relevant to technology, international security, conflict and diplomacy. Her current work focuses on cybersecurity and on the security and resilience of subsea infrastructure. Amongst other, Camino served as advisor/rapporteur to the 2019-2021 and 2016-2017 UN negotiating processes on cyberspace/ICTs and international security (the UN Open Ended Working Group and the UN Group of Governmental Experts). For the past decade she has also worked extensively across United Nations peace and security entities, with regional organisations and national governments on issues pertaining to international peace and security, conflict and digital technologies. Prior to this, Camino spent over a decade working in conflict contexts around the world, including with UN peacekeeping operations and political missions. LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caminokavanagh/ Executive Briefing – what you should read now Nicole Starosielski, The Undersea Network (Sign, Storage, Transmission), 2015, Durham, NC and London, UK: Duke University Press. José Chesnoy, Jean-Christophe Antona (Eds.) Undersea Fiber Communication Systems 3rd Edition, 2025. Academic Press. C. Kavanagh, J. Franken, and W. He. “Achieving Depth: Subsea Telecommunications Cables as Critical Infrastructure”. Geneva, Switzerland: UNIDIR, 2025. Omand, David: How to Survive a Crisis: Lessons in Resilience and Avoiding Disaster, 2023. Viking. Upcoming public event: Roundtable on subsea cables as critical infrastructure. In person (New York) and online, 30 March 2026

International Negotiations

08.09.2025•36:46

In this episode of “Business Diplomacy Today, Daniel Jones, Professor of Management at the University of Nevada, Reno joins host Matthias Catón, to explore the complexities of negotiation in international and cross-cultural business contexts. The discussion begins by broadening the definition of negotiation, highlighting that it permeates every aspect of daily life and is not limited to transactional haggling. Jones explains that effective negotiation should be viewed as an information-gathering process aimed at maintaining long-term relationships rather than as an adversarial battle. The episode delves into the psychological underpinnings of negotiation, particularly the influence of the “dark triad”—Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism—on negotiation tactics and ethics. Jones notes that while most people act ethically in negotiations, a minority exploit deception and lack empathy, demanding greater vigilance and preparation when dealing with such individuals. The conversation moves to the international stage, using examples like Donald Trump’s negotiation style to illustrate the risks and short-term nature of aggressive, ego-driven tactics. Jones observes that while such styles might bring immediate gains, they often breed resistance and retaliatory behavior, ultimately undermining relationships and sowing nationalistic fervor. Cross-cultural negotiation presents additional challenges, from differing attitudes towards information sharing and trust-building to the impact of individualistic versus collectivistic mindsets. For instance, what may appear deceptive in one culture could be a normative communication style in another. Building rapport and understanding cultural context—such as the importance of informal relationship-building before business discussions in many countries—are vital to successful outcomes. Jones offers practical advice, recommending the use of open-ended questions to encourage dialogue and gather information, and emphasizes the importance of investigating a counterpart’s reputation, especially when “dark triad” personalities are suspected. Recognizing non-answers and red herrings is also crucial for uncovering potential deception. He also underscores the necessity for self-awareness regarding one’s own cultural and demographic background, as these factors influence both perception and effectiveness in negotiations. Trust, relationship-building, and cultural sensitivity are highlighted as increasingly critical skills. In his predictions for the future, Jones expects a gradual homogenization of business negotiation practices towards individualism, a shift in public sentiment away from ego-driven tactics, and a renewed emphasis on personal relationships and trust because of technological and social changes. Ultimately, this episode underscores why understanding negotiation—in all its psychological and cultural complexity—is indispensable in today’s interconnected and rapidly evolving global business environment. About the guest Daniel Jones is a Professor of Management at the University of Nevada, Reno, having received his PhD in personality and social psychology in 2011 from the University of British Columbia. With a background in psychology, Dr. Jones has conducted research on topics ranging from culture, health, law, and stereotypes. In particular, Dr. Jones is a leading researcher in personality psychology, focusing on destructive personalities such as Machiavellianism, psychopathy, and narcissism, often referred to as the Dark Triad. He also studies deception and the contextual factors that drive dishonesty. His research has implications for business ethics, workplace climate, and organizational deviance. Dr. Jones is also a speaker and consultant, applying evidence-based solutions for toxic work environments. Executive Briefing – what you should read now Di Stasi, M., Templeton, E., & Quoidbach, J. (2024). Zooming out on bargaining tables: Exploring which conversation dynamics predict negotiation outcomes. Journal of Applied Psychology, 109(7), 1077–1093. https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0001136 TEDx Talk by Alexandra Carter: “How to ask for more — and get it” (TEDxReno, 2024)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3w5Iw6fYZY

Online Voting

08.08.2024•28:47

In this episode of Business Diplomacy Today, host Matthias Catón discusses the topic of online voting with Dr. Simone Ehrenberg-Silies, a senior consultant at the Institute for Technology and Innovation at VDI/VDE-IT. The conversation begins with a definition of online voting, differentiating it from traditional and electronic voting. The discussion delves into the reluctance of many countries to adopt online voting because of the risks of cyberattacks and manipulation, highlighting the vulnerability and potential loss of trust in the election process. Simone notes that online voting offers some advantages, such as better accessibility, error-free vote counting, and convenience, particularly during situations like the pandemic. The conversation shifts to other applications beyond political elections, such as university elections and party leader selections. Despite the benefits, Simone repeatedly emphasizes the substantial risks, especially without the possibility of a verifiable recount in case of disputes. The discussion covers the technical intricacies of online voting systems, focusing on security, authentication, and the potential future risks posed by quantum computing. About the guest Dr. Simone Ehrenberg-Silies Dr. Simone Ehrenberg-Silies is a Senior Consultant at the Institute for Technology and Innovation at VDI/VDE-IT. A political scientist, she has been working in foresight and technology assessment for over a decade, mainly for public clients such as the German Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs, the Office of Technology Assessment at the German Bundestag and the Deutsche Bundesbank. Simone is passionate about working and publishing on topics such as the future of work, the future of payments, social, economic and political transformation, and geopolitical issues at the intersection of technology and innovation. Executive Briefing – what you should read now E-Voting – alternative Wahlformen und ihre Absicherung (2023) Nino Haratischvili (2019): The Eighth Life (for Brilka) Our Sponsor This episode is sponsored and presented by the Indo-German Centre for Business Excellence.

The Global Risks Report 2024

23.07.2024•33:23

In this episode of Business Diplomacy Today, guest Martin Drux from Marsh McLennan delves into lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of businesses preparing for future events like the permafrost virus. Host Matthias Catón discusses technology’s role in risk assessment, citing Google’s use of search data to track flu outbreaks. Drux highlights how AI and technology can enhance risk prediction and data quality, especially in the insurance sector. The episode addresses geopolitical risks such as power shifts, tensions in the Middle East, and China’s assertiveness, with Drux advocating for peaceful solutions and innovation. Companies should take Drux’s advice and manage talent shortages, especially in Europe, while also incorporating ESG factors into their strategies. The Global Risk Report, a collaboration between the World Economic Forum, Marsh McLennan, and Zurich, serves as a valuable resource that highlights risks like misinformation, climate change, and social unrest. Drux points out the evolution of risk management, noting a shift to new risks like cyber threats and environmental challenges. The conversation covers whether non-insurance companies are effective at assessing risks and the importance of diversifying production and markets. Drux emphasises the importance of learning from past mistakes with countries like Russia and China while balancing ethical and political views. He predicts a tumultuous decade filled with both innovations and challenges, stressing human rights and the responsible use of AI. The discussion ends on a hopeful note, with Drux underlining humanity’s broader aim of survival. This episode is essential for understanding the ever-evolving landscape of global risks and the need for businesses to adapt proactively. The topic is vital today as companies navigate an increasingly complex and dynamic world. About the guest Martin Drux Martin Drux is the Multinational Client Service Leader for Europe at MarshMcLennan based in Düsseldorf, Germany. Martin has worked in the insurance industry for 30 years, always in client-facing roles for large multinational clients. Besides various client executive and managerial roles in Germany, Martin has worked a couple of years in the USA (Philadelphia), Asia and the UK (London). Martin joined Marsh in 2007 as a senior client executive for German Fortune 1000 companies and has led the Marsh Multinational Practice in Europe since 2013. Executive Briefing – what you should read now Global Risks Report 2024 Kiss, Bow, Or Shake Hands by Terri Morrison and Wayne A. Conaway Our Sponsor This episode is sponsored and presented by the Indo-German Centre for Business Excellence.