FRANKFURT. It is widely acknowledged in academic circles that Germans know relatively little about Africa. But why is that? Where does this lack of interest originate, and what are its consequences? According to Prof. Hans Peter Hahn, fifty years of postcolonial marginalization of an entire continent have left a lasting impact. He also argues that popular non-fiction works about the region – including books by journalist Peter Scholl-Latour – have contributed to an outdated image of Africa as a continent defined primarily by war, crisis, and disaster. Hahn is convinced that “the ongoing marginalization in effect constitutes a continuation of colonization.”

To present a more accurate picture, Hahn joined forces with Dr. Sylvestre Kouakou to publish the edited volume “Afrika-Wissen.” Like many scholars of African descent, Kouakou was struck by the way Africa is perceived in Germany. As a fellow of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, he made the topic a central focus of his doctoral research. It was during this time that he developed the idea of examining the issue from multiple perspectives in an edited collection. The contributions by authors from across the German-speaking world emerged from a workshop organized by Goethe University’s Centre for Interdisciplinary African Studies (ZIAF).

The Dilemma Facing Journalists
Spanning 264 pages, “Afrika-Wissen” brings together contributions from a range of disciplines, with a particular emphasis on print media. The first section examines the shortcomings of journalistic reporting on Africa and explores the factors that contribute to them. Contributors include three journalists who currently report, or have reported, on Africa, among them the well-known television journalist Stefan Ehlert. Alongside insights into the working conditions of journalists – whose numbers on the continent continue to decline – they discuss the economic pressures and editorial constraints that shape reporting. Many journalists appear caught between their own professional standards and external expectations. A statistical analysis of the frequency and nature of Africa-related reporting in German media paints a sobering picture.

The second section presents a series of case studies that explore the sometimes far-reaching consequences of limited knowledge about Africa. These range from misjudgments and prejudices concerning African countries and cultures to assumptions about the supposed superiority of European culture. Because everyday life in Africa receives relatively little attention, media coverage often emphasizes differences between Europeans and Africans rather than shared experiences and common ground. Particularly striking is an analysis of SPIEGEL’s reporting on African migrants. Although the number of migrants arriving from Africa is significantly lower than those coming from other regions, media coverage is disproportionately high. Moreover, such reporting tends to focus on risks and problems, while stories of success and integration remain comparatively rare.

The third section adds historical depth to the volume. The example of art historian Carl Einstein illustrates that even in the early twentieth century there were voices critical of Western ignorance about Africa. By contrast, the big-game hunter and travel writer Hans Schomburgk serves as a negative example: he used Africa largely as a backdrop for self-promotion, reducing the continent to its exotic landscapes and natural beauty.

Drawing on the volume’s contributions, Hahn also points to several encouraging developments in recent years. One example is the gradual shift taking place in feature films, where Africa and its people are increasingly portrayed in more nuanced and realistic ways. Ultimately, the persistent depiction of Africa as disadvantaged and dependent has tangible consequences for the continent’s economic development. More coverage of positive developments – such as the innovative capacity of Africa’s solar industry – could help attract greater interest from reputable investors.

Hans Peter Hahn is a professor of ethnology at Goethe University Frankfurt. His research focuses on Africa-related topics, specifically the representation of Africa in museums and in the public realm. Hahn served as chair of the African Studies Association Germany (VAD) and is director of the Centre for Interdisciplinary African Studies (ZIAF) at Goethe University.

Sylvestre Kouakou, a Germanist and ethnologist, earned his doctorate in Frankfurt with a dissertation on images of Africa in German-language media. He teaches as an assistant professor at Université Alassane-Ouattara Bouaké (Ivory Coast) and also holds teaching appointments at Goethe University. His research interests center on nuanced perspectives in development policy and on the transcultural dialogue between Germany and African countries.