Mittelafrika
German geostrategic concept for central and east Africa.
Mittelafrika (German: 'Middle Africa') was a term for a proposed geostrategic zone in central and eastern Africa. It reflected Germany's pre–World War I foreign policy goal of dominating that area, similar to the Mitteleuropa concept for Europe.
The idea was to link Germany's existing African colonies—German East Africa (Rwanda, Burundi, and Tanganyika, which is mainland Tanzania without Zanzibar), German South West Africa (Namibia except Walvis Bay), and Kamerun (modern Cameroon)—by annexing the land between them. This would create a continuous German territory stretching from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. The region, especially the resource-rich Congo Basin, would provide immense wealth through resource extraction and help Germany achieve economic self-sufficiency.
The concept originated in the 1890s, when Chancellor Leo von Caprivi acquired the Caprivi Strip through the Heligoland–Zanzibar Treaty, linking German South West Africa to the Zambezi River. Britain and Germany then competed for control over what is now Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi. British-backed Cecil Rhodes, through the British South Africa Company, established colonies there—later known as Southern Rhodesia and Northern Rhodesia. Germany also proposed that Britain pressure its ally Portugal to cede Angola and Mozambique. However, Britain had long-standing trade deals with Portugal and feared that handing over these colonies would weaken its own position in Africa, especially its planned 'Cape to Cairo Railway' (or route). Anglo-German plans to partition Portugal's empire were drawn up but were likely intended only as a last resort to pacify Germany if it threatened Europe's balance of power. Since Germany later focused on dominating Europe rather than Africa, these plans were abandoned. In fact, German politicians likely used the Mittelafrika idea to pressure Britain into accepting German dominance in Europe—not the reverse—and British leaders eventually realized that colonial concessions would never satisfy the German Empire.
During World War I, Germany hoped to seize the Belgian Congo if it defeated Belgium, and to force Britain to cede the Rhodesias after a German victory in Europe. But the actual war in Africa never matched these ambitions. When fighting began in Europe, Germany's African colonies lacked the defenses, troops, and supplies needed to wage war effectively.
- field
- Geostrategic concept
- nationality
- German
- known_for
- German colonial ambition for a contiguous African empire from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean
- era
- Pre-First World War
Lore & Background
The concept of Mittelafrika dates back to the 1890s, when then-Chancellor of Germany Leo von Caprivi gained the Caprivi Strip in the Heligoland–Zanzibar Treaty, attaching German South-West Africa to the Zambezi River. German strategic thinking envisioned annexing the region between German East Africa, German South West Africa, and Kamerun to create a contiguous entity spanning Africa from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean. This region, rich in natural resources especially in the Congo Basin, would accrue considerable wealth and contribute to German economic self-sufficiency.
Germany proposed that Britain press their ally Portugal to cede Angola and Mozambique to Germany. Although plans for an eventual Anglo-German partition of the Portuguese colonial empire were created, Britain saw its position in Africa severely weakened if applied, as Germany could threaten the planned 'Cape to Cairo Railway' (or route). These plans were arguably made only as a last resort to pacify Germany if it threatened the European balance of power.
Reader's Guide
Mittelafrika represents a key element of German pre-First World War foreign policy, designed to pressure Britain into tolerating growing German dominance in Europe. The aspiration was incorporated into Germany's aims in the First World War, expecting to gain the Belgian Congo if Belgium were defeated, and to force Britain to cede Rhodesia after a German victory in Europe. However, German colonies were at very different levels of defence and troop strength when war began, and were not in a position to fight due to a lack of material. The concept never matched events in the African theatre. Its significance lies in illustrating how colonial ambitions were intertwined with European power politics, and how German leaders used colonial demands as leverage rather than as primary goals.
Did You Know?
- Mittelafrika would have created a contiguous German colony from the Atlantic to the Indian Ocean.
- The concept dates back to the 1890s, when Chancellor Leo von Caprivi gained the Caprivi Strip.
- Germany proposed that Britain press Portugal to cede Angola and Mozambique to Germany.
- The full realisation of Mittelafrika depended on a German victory in the European theatre of the First World War.
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