In view of climate change, current economic paradigms need to be rethought. A path
towards climate-neutral economies is being discussed under the heading of green
industrialization. For example, for contemporary infrastructure, steel facilitates the construction of sustainable and resilient buildings, transportation and energy networks.
In Germany, nearly 70% of exports comprise steel-intensive products, yet the country's steel production heavily relies on fossil fuels. Consequently, this significantly contributes to carbon emissions and environmental degradation.

One strategy for tackling global environmental concerns and promoting economic growth in African countries is to relocate specific segments of the steel and other energy intensive value chains to African countries. These nations could leverage their competitive advantage in utilizing renewable energy sources, thus making energy intensive production more sustainable. This would also create green jobs, especially for the young and rapidly growing workforce, thereby decreasing global greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs for the entire sector.

Considering the interests of the various stakeholders entails complex questions about opportunities and risks, which will be discussed in the panel.

• Which opportunities would come with the promotion of green industrialization in African countries, for example, through the relocation of energy intensive value chains?
• Is the transformation feasible and what would be necessary technical, political and social preconditions?
• What would be the social, economic and environmental impacts from a German and African point of view?