From Nairobi to New York: Why Berlin is an attractive place for global citizens to live and work – a guest article by Burkhard Volbracht

Note: This guest article reflects only the personal opinion of the author and not necessarily the opinion of the editorial team.

Berlin – the place to be. Many will instinctively consider this statement to be faultless and understandable. But it is, of course, mainly a question of perspective. For anyone working in the IT sector in London and paying rent there, Berlin is certainly a more affordable alternative. But someone from Leipzig might see things quite differently.

But looking at Germany from, let’s say, an African viewpoint is definitely interesting. In this case, the vast majority of young people will not be itching to come to Berlin. Not because they don’t like the place or find it uncool, but because it is quite simply unfamiliar. Far higher up on the bucket list are places like London, New York or Ontario. One very banal reason is that there is no Berlin football team competing in the Champions League. Many will know Bayern Munich or Borussia Dortmund – and football is really massive in Africa. Almost every child knows Liverpool or Manchester. Also because they are English speaking clubs. Hence also Ontario in Canada. Simply because English-speaking countries are a far more obvious choice for English-speaking Africans. 

Berlin is not known for its employers in Africa – although BMW, Mercedes Benz and Siemens are represented in the city and have manufacturing facilities here. But almost nobody knows that. But events such as the Berlin Marathon are instances in which the connections between brands and the city are already becoming more visible. This mega event is like a spotlight and places Berlin and sports brands like Adidas with its innovation hub in Berlin firmly on the map. These internationally prestigious events underline Berlin’s status as a cosmopolitan city where people can definitely get by with English. 

To stick to the sports lingo, Berlin may seem like an underdog to many young professionals who are still quite unfamiliar with the city. But if they take a closer look, the underdog quickly becomes a title contender brimming with bright job opportunities.

Why African professionals should be interested in a career in Berlin

Although more and more governments are launching programs to roll out digitalization and IT skills on a large scale, there is often a lack of adequate jobs in the industrial sector. IT is the beacon of hope for the future of Africa and Asia. Many young people hope that one day it will be possible to overtake Europe (or the USA) in the digital realm. ‘Leap frogging’ is a familiar term that often crops up when talking with young people in Africa. Another is ‘leadership’. Many young professionals believe in technological progress, which they associate with hope for a better future – with more and higher-paid jobs. This is another reason why it is a great idea to explore how Berlin is perceived in Africa and the Global South. 

Berlin is a place of change. The start-up ecosystem and its local innovation hubs are largely driving Germany's digital transformation. Mobile payment is a huge topic in Africa, and some of Germany’s biggest fintechs have emerged in Berlin. This is another example of how issues and interests in Africa and Berlin often converge.

And leadership plays a key role in many young companies. Flat hierarchies and flexible work are important topics in Berlin, whereas HR may still have preserved its more traditional German structures in your average SME. So anyone interested in making a difference and inducing change will find many like-minded compatriots in Berlin. 

Career prospects in Berlin

What makes Berlin so exciting from the perspective of talented African or Asian youngsters is that the jobs of the future are being created here. Over recent years, Berlin has, by and large, weathered the economic storms better than other regions in Germany as the capital region is not dominated by traditional industries. The IT scene is growing rapidly, Berlin has a very strong health cluster and the scientific community is sizeable and features internationally renowned players such as the Robert Koch Institute. So anyone interested in learning more about what the ‘future jobs’ are, will find them in Berlin. Job titles such as UX/UI Designer or Scrum Master have made their way from Berlin into German HR departments.

And the first step onto the career ladder is often easier in Berlin than elsewhere. Berlin is home to international universities and universities of applied sciences offering English-language courses. Unlike in the UK or the USA, many of these courses are free of charge. And the public universities have a very good reputation among German employers. People with a good university degree can find work in Berlin relatively quickly. ‘German engineering’ is and remains a hallmark of quality that also opens doors for international career choices.

Berlin has one of the most – if not the most – international workforces in Germany. There is also a very sizeable African community. For example, the Black in Tech Berlin network has its headquarters in the capital. The Indian community is among of the largest in the city and is very well networked.

‘Word of mouth’ is one of the best ways to find a job. There are large international networks. Many of the specialists who have moved here now have jobs in management positions and can therefore help alumni to get their foot in the door as well. Because: There is a desperate need for skilled workers. Even if the mean age in Berlin is lower than the national average, the demographic time bomb is ticking here, too. Which opens up numerous possibilities.

When talking to students abroad – whether in Asia or Africa – it is always noticeable that the big brands are well-known there. These international corporations such as Bosch, Telekom or Audi therefore embody the hopes and dreams of many in regard to career prospects. Here, it is important to remember that, on the one hand, many skilled workers from the region also focus on these large employers, and, on the other, that crises are often accompanied by waves of redundancies. This is why it is worth investigating the small to medium-sized enterprises– the so-called ‘hidden champions’. Kryolan from Berlin is a wonderful example. It is likely that very few people have ever heard the name. But there is barely a theater anywhere in the world that does not use Kryolan make-up products backstage. The city is home to many of these global niche market leaders. And this is where the job market gets really exciting. 

So anyone interested in career opportunities in Germany and Berlin should take a look behind the scenes (job portals) – at the sectors and future fields. They will encounter innovative companies that are not yet aware of which jobs they will be advertising tomorrow. My tip: Keep going and use content to gain access.

Berlin offers what is missing in many African cities

Since the fall of the Wall at the latest, Berlin has been known as a city of constant change. But still, the two aspects of continuity and stability remain high on the agenda in Germany and Berlin. These mainly relate to economic stability and security. Germany has a strong social security system, health insurance and labor rights. 

All that glitters is not gold, of course – and there are also crises and worries. But it is still reasonable to expect life to continue in an orderly fashion. The public transport system works smoothly with buses, tramcars, an underground and suburban trains. You don't have to battle your way through chaotic congestion every morning. Commuting times of one hour are the exception rather than the rule. And things are definitely not as wild and chaotic as they are in Mumbai, Kampala, Nairobi or Lagos in the mornings and evenings. So people have more time for an ‘after-work beer’ – a popular pastime for Germans, also with their families. 

Language, culture and other important things

Many highly qualified specialists in Africa are reluctant to up sticks from their home countries. As a continent experiencing growth, Africa holds opportunities for the future, and many African countries are almost in the same time zone. Remote work may be an option here. So this also raises the question of whether people have to learn German if they want to relocate. The answer is no, at least for the Berlin labor market. There are now many companies that conduct their business in English. And people can even get by with English in everyday life. But there is a risk that expat bubbles may emerge. The best way to break free from them is to learn a little German. And doing so will definitely open up more career opportunities in the long term. 

I always find it amusing to talk about the German language in Africa. Just hearing the question: What is the difference between a ‘Mauer’ and a ‘Wand’? Do they not just both mean ‘a wall’? And beware, dear Africans, many people think that you will make progress in Berlin if you just speak French because France is a neighbor to Germany. But it would be tricky. Although there is a French quarter in Berlin, the dominant foreign language is essentially English. And alongside activities such as the Carnival of Cultures or the Africa Food Festival, there are a wide variety of cultural events that are easier to understand in German than in English.

That's why I always advise young talents who are asking themselves whether to accept a ‘remote’ position or to ‘relocate’ to try working abroad for a year or so. This switch in perspective will have a massive impact on their future careers.

The first step from distant countries often looks very expensive. Visa, opportunity card, blocked account and the recognition of professional qualification are all hurdles that seem high. But there are also many initiatives that hep people take that first step and show potential pathways with scholarships, tuition-free universities and the like. 

You need to be there to feel, smell and sense the difference. There are two instances that give you a good insight into Germany, especially from an African perspective. Anyone who has ever stood at a red pedestrian light at night – no traffic far and wide – will know what I mean. We Germans will stand and wait. Fun fact: not so much in big cities. And then there’s taking a drive around the Großer Stern in Berlin. It is a central square with a four- to six-lane roundabout. We Germans need traffic lights, otherwise we will be simply unable to exit the roundabout without causing an accident. We love rules. There's always a hint of chaos in Berlin, but ‘order is necessary’ – that's a German rule of thumb. In this respect, Germany and Berlin are most certainly an alternative to London, New York or Ontario.

My verdict: If you love freedom, Berlin is absolutely the right place for you. Freedom plus a high quality of life, job security and international career opportunities. The rest – so language, culture and order – you will manage.