East Africans embrace German trade fairs for business growth

The global COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted economies worldwide, including East Africa. Lockdown measures, travel restrictions, and supply chain disruptions led to declining international trade and investment.

East African businesses showed resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to explore new avenues for growth. With its renowned trade fair market, Germany stands out as a favoured destination due to its reputation for excellence, innovation, and vast business opportunities.

Germany boasts a robust trade fair industry known for its world-class infrastructure, industry-specific events, and diverse exhibitors and attendees. The country hosts numerous internationally recognised trade fairs encompassing diverse sectors such as manufacturing, technology, automotive, agriculture, etc.

AUMA (the Association of the German Trade Fair Industry) highlighted current trends and prospects in the trade fair business in its annual publication, “AUMA Trends 2023/2024”. According to the report, Germany registered more than 141,000 exhibitors and 7.6 million visitors. More than 60% of leading global trade fairs occur in Germany, home to four out of the world’s ten largest exhibition grounds. These are Hannover, Frankfurt am Main, Cologne, and Düsseldorf.

 

Abyssinia group of companies who exhibited in Wire & Tube 2022 in Dusseldorf

As the official representative for Messe Duesseldorf in East Africa, we support businesses to showcase their products and services on a global platform. For these companies, German trade fairs provide an invaluable window into the global marketplace.

These events facilitate invaluable networking and exposure and empower businesses to stay competitive in a dynamic global market. The embrace of German trade fairs marks a turning point for East African businesses, as they unlock doors to endless opportunities and solidify their position on the world stage.

africon as a cooperation partner for the East African delegation to K trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany

East African delegation to K trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany

Looking ahead, we are excited about the prospects of welcoming even more visitors and exhibitors from East Africa to Germany’s prestigious trade fairs.

 

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africon as a cooperation partner for the East African delegation to K trade fair in Düsseldorf, Germany

For East Africans: How to prepare for a Messe Dusseldorf trade fair in Germany

For East Africans: How to prepare for a Messe Dusseldorf trade fair in Germany

africon GmbH, is the official representative of Messe Dusseldorf in East Africa and we created this guide to make your preparation for Germany less complicated.

Are you looking to attend any of the Messe Dusseldorf fairs in Germany? Are you from the following countries that we represent? These are Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Burundi and South Sudan .

We can help you with figuring out your VISA application process.

Here is a list of trade fairs in Dusseldorf, Germany that we represent in East Africa.

THE PROCESS

1. If you have a valid passport, book for visa appointment.

Book for visa appointments early as there is always a waiting list of even 3 weeks.

Book for visa appointment Kenya

Book for visa appointment Tanzania

Book for visa appointment Ethiopia

Book for visa appointment Rwanda

Book for visa appointment Uganda

Book for visa appointment Burundi

Book for visa appointment South Sudan

 

2. Pay for the trade fair ticket online.

We do not provide free tickets and visitors and exhibitors have to pay for their tickets online.

MEDICA ticket shop 

ProWein ticket shop

wire ticket shop

Tube ticket shop

METEC (GMTN) ticket shop GIFA , METEC , THERMPROCESS , NEWCAST

TourNatur ticket shop

drupa ticket shop

boot Dusseldorf ticket shop

EuroShop ticket shop

ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE ticket shop

interpack ticket shop

VALVE WORLD EXPO ticket shop

A+A ticket shop

MEDICA & Compamed ticket shop

 

3. Get all your paperwork ready for visa application

Check the required documents you need in your respective German Embassy websites. Each country has its checklist.

See links at (1) above

We can provide you with a confirmation letter to show that you will be attending the trade fair. If you require a confirmation letter, kindly send an email to jean.wandimi@africon.de

Please include the following

  • Name, company and official work title
  • Attach a passport copy
  • Attach the trade fair ticket in step (2) above.

4. Book for flights and use booking for visa application

You will use your flight booking to apply for visas.

5. Apply for visa

Embassies require that you appear in person at the embassy in your respective countries.

TIPS:

  • Remember to carry your printed appointment that you got in your email and all your relevant documents.
  • Sometimes people take old bank statements. Remember to carry recent ones.
  • Remember to check the visa fee requirements on the respective embassy website

6. Get your visa and pay flights

As soon as you get your visa, you can firmly pay for your flights.

7. Prepare for trade fair

Every trade fair has its own website where you can find so much information on exhibitors, visitors, conferences and so much more. You can even set meetings before hand.

If it will be your first time attending a trade fair in Dusseldorf, see this great resource that will help you know how trade fairs in Germany look like and what you can expect.

MEDICA website

ProWein website

wire ticket website

tube website 

METEC (GMTN) website GIFA, METEC, THERMPROCESS, NEWCAST

TourNatur website

drupa website

boot Dusseldorf website

EuroShop website

ENERGY STORAGE EUROPE website

interpack website

VALVE WORLD EXPO website

A+A website

MEDICA website

8. Attend trade fair in Germany.

We wish you all the best as you travel to Germany.

 

ADDITIONAL POINTS TO NOTE

  • If you have a company inviting you for the trade fair, you can request them for an invitation letter. NB: Some embassies ie. German Embassy in Ethiopia require that you have originally signed documents and not photocopies. Ensure that you contact us early enough to arrange how you will receive the letter from our Germany office.
  • We are not a travel agent and do not apply for a visa for you. All we do is give you the relevant information and provide you with a confirmation letter as stated in step (3) above.
  • We cannot contact the embassy on your behalf. Every embassy requires that applicants submit their documents in person.