Denmark is not yet making the most of the opportunities in Africa

I have said it before, and I will keep saying it until it changes: Denmark is not making the most of the opportunities in African markets. Danish trade with the continent remains lower than in many comparable European countries, even though Danish companies have solutions that are highly relevant and in demand across African markets.

That is why we have established the Danish-African Business Network. It is not an end in itself, but a community for Danish companies that want to explore opportunities, share experiences, and build stronger business ties across Africa.

The interest has been truly encouraging and a bit overwhelming in the best way possible. We are already 134 members, and the network is still growing.

To me, that shows there has been a real need for a community where companies can learn from each other, meet the right people, and work together to strengthen Danish business engagement in Africa.

Africa is a continent of 54 very different countries, each with its own opportunities and challenges. That is exactly why networks and knowledge sharing matter. The better we understand the markets, the better equipped we are to create lasting business partnerships.

Demand is growing

Across the continent, demand is growing in areas where Danish companies have a lot to offer; from energy, water, and food to healthcare, infrastructure, digitalisation, and the green transition.

What I find very encouraging is that the network already includes companies from many of these sectors. That diversity creates opportunities to share knowledge, connect with the right partners, and identify concrete business opportunities across African markets.

Let me highlight one example within the energy sector. In August, we will host two workshops focusing on opportunities for Danish energy solutions in North Africa and East Africa. Bringing together companies with market experts and local insights is exactly the kind of practical collaboration we want the network to deliver. You can read more about the workshops in this very newsletter.

I hope this is just the beginning. There is enormous potential to strengthen commercial ties between Denmark and Africa, and I am convinced that we will achieve far more by working together than by working alone.