· AsDirector of GIZ African Union, Dr. Tobias Thiel oversees GIZ’s longstanding partnership with the African Union (AU), the AU’s Development Agency AUDA-NEPAD and its specialised agencies with the goal of advancing sustainable development on the African continent in accordance with the AU’s Agenda 2063. With more than 230 staff based in 25 AU members states, GIZ African Union jointly implements programmes/projects with the AU at continental, regional and national level on behalf of the German Government, the EU and other development partners. The priority sectors of the cooperation are peacebuilding and conflict prevention, governance and migration, sustainable economic growth and infrastructure, as well as health and social development.
With more than 15 years of experience in international development cooperation, Dr. Thiel previously served as Deputy Country Director of GIZ in Egypt as well as Head of Project of GIZ in Yemen. Throughout his career, he held several leadership, advisory and research positions with GIZ, the European Parliament and research institutions related to governance, public sector reform, digital transformation, human rights, women and youth empowerment as well as aid effectiveness in Africa, the Middle East and Europe. Tobias Thiel holds a Ph.D. in International History from the London School of Economics and Political Science in the United Kingdom and an M.A. in International Relations and International Economics from the Johns Hopkins University, School of Advanced International Studies in the United States.
