German chancellor Scholz kicks off Africa trip in Senegal

By BABACAR DIONE and FRANK JORDANS
Associated Press

DAKAR, Senegal (AP) — German Chancellor Olaf Scholz says his country is interested in a major gas exploitation project in Senegal. He made the comment Sunday as he began a three-nation visit to Africa that also is focused on the geopolitical consequences of the war in Ukraine. The trip is Scholz’s first visit to Africa since becoming chancellor nearly six months ago. Two of the nations he is visiting — Senegal and South Africa — have been invited to attend next month’s G-7 summit in Germany. Scholz also will visit Niger, where hundreds of German soldiers are expected to be relocated amid the deepening political crisis in neighboring Mali.