It is a coincidence that an Africa conference was held in Berlin on the day after the end of the Afghanistan mission.
The commitment in the so-called “Compact with Africa” format has been going on for a few years; it goes back to a German G-20 presidency.
But this conference sets the direction for the strategic realignment of German foreign policy, which is sorely needed after Afghanistan.
The large continent of Africa, which is right on Europe's doorstep, has never received the attention it deserves in Germany over the past few decades.
Problems arise from Africa (migration, terrorism) and Africa offers opportunities (investment, trade).
It is also a traditional focus of French foreign policy.
Berlin could do a lot more with Paris here, giving the EU the weight it needs in the emerging multipolar world.
Angela Merkel, who hosted on Friday, showed more interest in Africa than her predecessors.
But it was not enough to offset China's advance on the continent or curb migration.
Both are, of course, Herculean tasks that will probably occupy several of their successors.
It is important that the next federal government stays on the ball and that it learns above all from the mistakes in Afghanistan. Working with developing countries does not mean that they have to be converted to the Western model of society.