Dr. Benedikt Erforth
Megatrends Afrika Project Director
Areas of Expertise
FocusEU development policy, EU-Africa relations, development finance, digitalisation policy, Franco-German cooperation, Sahel (Mali),
Short Curriculum vitae
Joined the Research Programme "Inter- and Transnational Cooperation" at the German Institute of Development and Sustainability in 2019 as a Senior Researcher
2015-2018 Teaching Fellow for International Relations and European Politics, Sciences Po Paris
2015 PhD in International Studies, University of Trento, Trento
2010-2011 Parliamentary Assistent at the French National Assembly
2009-2010 MSc, International and European Politics, University of Edinburgh
Publications of the Megatrends Afrika project
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Debating Trump 2.0 and Implications for Africa – “Mauritius must act like a small boat in turbulent waters”
In this interview with Megatrends Afrika, Nad Sivaramen discusses implications of Trump 2.0 for Mauritius and the broader Indian Ocean region. He outlines how a small island state can navigate this new, volatile world.
Megatrends spotlight 51, 15.04.2025 -
Data Extraction, Data Governance and Africa–Europe Cooperation
Africa's digital realm is rapidly evolving, with increasing regulatory frameworks emerging amidst diverse challenges. This contrasts with Europe’s established yet subtly influential digital governance landscape. The paper analyzes the dynamics of data regulation cooperation, advocating a non-paternalistic EU approach that embraces data sovereignty and a nuanced partnership strategy.
Megatrends Working Paper 2024 14, 17.07.2024, 28 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2024MTA-WP14
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EU Parliament Elections: Impacts on Africa-EU Relations?
The political landscape in Europe has shifted noticeably to the right as a result of the EU parliamentary elections. In this Megatrends Afrika Spotlight, Benedikt Erforth and Niels Keijzer (IDOS) shed light on the consequences this could have for EU-Africa relations. Despite a lack of innovations in the areas of migration and partnership, a continuation of previous policies seems more likely than significant changes.
Megatrends spotlight 32, 13.06.2024 -
Joint Futures: Ideas for Germany’s Africa Policy
What does it mean to design a sustainable and effective Africa policy? How can Germany develop and rethink its relations with Africa? We addressed these questions in a dedicated blog series between September 2023 and February 2024: Joint Futures. This publication brings together all the contributions.
Megatrends Working Paper 2024 12, 23.05.2024, 161 Pagesdoi:10.18449/2024MTA-WP12
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Great Expectations, New Ideas, and Many Unanswered Questions: On the Conclusion of Joint Futures
On the Joint Futures blog, German, European, and African authors addressed a variety of topics that are relevant to Germany’s Africa policy. Have we made the work on the new guidelines easier or more difficult? Here we take stock.
blog Joint Futures 47, 15.02.2024 -
The BMZ’s new Africa Strategy: Self-Critical, Credible and Values-Based?
The BMZ has presented its new Africa strategy. The strategy turns away from focussing on private sector development, our authors comment in this Megatrends Afrika Spotlight. It promises global structural policy and multilateral cooperation - and a more self-critical attitude towards development.
Megatrends spotlight 21, 07.02.2023