Our services
International Public Affairs
- Analysis and risk assessment of the relevant political, social and macroeconomic conditions and stakeholder management down to the local level. First-hand and tailor-made.
- Advice on political issues related to topics such as supply chains and sustainability in your international operations.
- Advice on the safety of your expatriate and local staff.
Studies and training
- Specialist studies on the risks of foreign assignments and travel, tailored to your needs.
- Training for your staff (intercultural competence, national and local politics, economy and society, security), e.g. for assignments and relocation measures.
On-site consulting
- Thanks to our close-knit network of experts in Africa, Europe and Latin America, we can provide you with detailed, up-to-date and specific situation reports. We would be pleased to advise you directly. In Europe or on site.
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1000 + contacts from politics, public administration, science and business.
Activities, projects & network
Who really grants a #mining project its license to operate? Often not the government, but the community next door. In the latest episode of "On the Ground: Geopolitics and Business", @georg_dufner and Thomas Schiller speak with #indigenousrelations advisor Jay Hartling about why Indigenous affairs are a hard business factor, not a soft one.
You can find links to the full episode in the Bio, so make sure you tune in!
Our topics:
– Where the legal duty to obtain free, prior and informed consent comes from and how it evolved
– How #riskmitigation through Indigenous relations pays off
– Why criticalminerals, #geopolitics and Indigenous lands increasingly collide
– How to open a first conversation, deal with rejection and negotiate agreements
– How community relations differ from classic #corporatecitizenship
Okt. 19
The new episode "Global EU: New Realism and Untapped Potential" of our podcast "On the Ground – Geopolitics and Business" with Micahel Koehler, former deputy of GD ECHO is online in german. Watch on YouTube for subtitles in your language.
How does Brussels deal with emerging economies in Africa and Latin America? What influence does the European Union wield when countries around the world are no longer just looking for markets, but for reliability and, above all, equality?
We discuss these issues with Michael Köhler, who spent three decades shaping the EUs external relations at the European Commission. He explains what Europe is offering partners beyond its borders through the Global Gateway Initiative, why the Mediterranean will determine whether Europe’s neighborhood becomes a bridge or a divide—and why Brussels’ trade policy needs a “new realism.”
You can find links on this Podcast episode and additional info in our Bio.
#europeanunion
#africa
#latinamerica
#globalgateway
#freetrade
Okt. 9
This month, EMA Managing Partner Thomas Schiller is supporting international companies in Rabat, #morocco .
We`ll make sure you meet the right people, too.
Sep. 22
Our Summer Recap & Outlook episode of the podcast "On the Ground – Geopolitics and Business" is online. Georg Dufner and Thomas Schiller take a look at the topics of the second half of the year, which include:
– #Colombia under De La Espriella: Fighting Cartels and Fostering Growth?
– Europe and North Africa. The importance of the Mediterranean
– Bab-el-Mandeb/#redsea crisis: Impact on security and business
– #milei ’s libertarian lab: Industry Collapse vs. Macroeconomic Growth in #Argentina
– #Mining in Latin America: Fundamental Questions
– #Cuba: Should we expect a change for the better?
– A look at Global #business challenges: the perception of Africa and Latin America
– and more.
We will now have a short break and will be back end of September/ beginning of October with new & inspiring guests on our show.
You can find links and additional info in our Bio.
We hope you have a few nice days off and that you enjoy them!
Aug. 25
Le #tourisme emploie des millions de personnes, directement et indirectement, en #afrique , en Amérique et en Europe. Nous abordons les spécificités et les interrelations complexes de ce secteur avec Pierre-Philippe Loye, directeur d’hôtel et de restaurant. Ayant grandi en Afrique, Pierre-Philippe a travaillé dans l’hôtellerie-restauration à travers le monde. Notre voyage nous mène de Dakar, au #Sénégal, à Bamako, au #Mali, puis en #guyanefrancaise. Notre invité nous explique les réalités du quotidien dans l’hôtellerie-restauration. Nous analysons les interactions entre société et entreprise et les liens entre décisions politiques et défis spécifiques aux entreprises.
Une fois de plus, „On the Ground – Geopolitics and Business“ offre un éclairage sur des sujets à la croisée de la #politique , de la #société et de l’#economie .
Nos sujets:
– Le quotidien de l’hôtellerie-restauration dans un environnement exigeant, en Afrique de l’Ouest et ailleurs
– La politique de tourisme comme facteur économique concret
– Le potentiel d’un tourisme Sud-Sud et de nouvelles niches, comme le tourisme mémoriel et de la santé
– Les interactions entre société, politique et défis d’entreprise
– Un regard pragmatique porté par une expérience multiculturelle, de Dakar à la Nouvelle-Calédonie
Si cet épisode vous a plu, n’hésitez pas à laisser un commentaire ou à cliquer sur "J’aime", à vous abonner et à recommander cette chaîne à vos amis, collègues et proches ! Vous nous aiderez ainsi énormément à nous développer et à continuer à proposer des discussions de haut niveau avec des intervenants qui suscitent la réflexion.
Aug. 14
From one meeting to the next in #Paris.
Thomas Schiller, managing partner at @emergingmarketsadvisors , recently visited #France, where he met with entrepreneurs and diplomats. We are continuously strengthening our European #network, which we are happy to make available to you. Please feel free to contact us!
#geopolitics
#riskadvisory
#emergingmarkets
#businessnetworking
Aug. 11
#Brasilien im Megawahljahr 2026: Brasilien wählt 2026 ein neues Parlament und einen neuen Präsidenten. Was bedeutet das für Unternehmen und die Gesellschaft und wie beeinflusst die organisierte #Kriminalität den Wahlkampf in Lateinamerikas größter Volkswirtschaft? @faz -Lateinamerika-Korrespondent Tjerk Brühwiller ordnet ein.
Link zur ganze Episode aus dem Podcast "On the Ground. Geopolitics and Business" in der Bio! Gerne: Reinhören, kommentieren, weitersagen!
Juli 17
New podcast episode: "#Venezuela After Political and Geologic #Earthquake s: Emergency and Recovery Under Washington`s Guidance." [Spanish/Español]
#Venezuela has experienced two “earthquakes” in 2026: a political one on January 3, with the arrest and extradition of Nicolás #maduro ; and a geological one on June 24, when a pair of earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5 on the Richter scale shook the country, leaving thousands dead and tens of thousands missing.
What does this emergency—along with the interim government of #delcyrodríguez under U.S. tutelage—mean for the Caribbean nation? We spoke with Eduardo Rengifo, a municipal director in El Hatillo, and Óscar Romero, a former diplomat, about the social, economic, and geopolitical consequences of Venezuela’s dual upheaval.
Our topics:
– The earthquakes of June 24: the real impact
– The Venezuelan government’s response and international aid
– Delcy Rodríguez’s transitional government and Marco Rubio’s role
– Economic and political outlooks
Links to the podcast, additional information, resources & links in bio.
Listen now!
#trump #rubio
Juli 15
Who we are
We live in a world in uncertainty, full of upheavals and turning tides – also for companies: Trade, industry and service providers. Surrounding risks directly affect projects, sales markets, investment targets and supply chains.
De-risking and nearshoring are on everyone’s lips. The inevitable diversification poses challenges for business models. Africa and Latin America offer a variety of opportunities for this, including for you and your projects.
But you need more than just market intelligence: regional expertise, networks, contacts and first-hand local information are your ticket to Africa and Latin America. We make this possible for you thanks to our experience and our network.
As practitioners with many years of international experience on the ground at the interface between politics, business and development issues, we want to help you to be successful in Africa and Latin America – based on your specific goals and honest assessments. We advise public institutions and private sector companies.
Contact us for a non-binding offer.
Dr. Georg Dufner
Founder & Partner
Expert in corporate communications and public affairs, with a focus on Latin America. Previous positions include office manager for a member of the German Bundestag, Resident Representative of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Bolivia, and Director of the Regional Program on Indigenous Policy in Latin America. Georg Dufner has worked for industry associations, international organizations, media and corporations. Studies at the Universidad Católica de Chile and the Free University of Berlin, research and teaching in international relations with a focus on Latin America in Berlin and Santiago de Chile, author of “Partners in the Cold War. Political Relations between the Federal Republic of Germany and Chile”.
Thomas Schiller
Founder & Partner
Public affairs and security expert, with a focus on Africa. Until February 2023 Program Officer at a United Nations Organization in Dakar, Senegal. Extensive experience as head of regional offices of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in the Sahel and Maghreb regions, in the private sector (e.g. BASF) and in business associations. Long-term focus on security issues. Special expertise and network in Sub-Saharan Africa and the MENA region. Several years of experience in political consulting in Bavaria, on a german and European level. Thomas Schiller studied political science, history and economics at the Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität in Munich, graduate of the Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences Po).
Delphine Byrka
Senior Advisor
Experienced political risk and security analyst, specialist in terrorism-related issues, and consultant for international companies, NGOs, government agencies, and international institutions in West Africa. Expert in risk forecasting through early detection of “warning signs.” 25 years of experience as a reporter for the French weekly magazine Paris Match (politics, armed conflicts, investigative journalism). Since 2016, she has been a consultant in strategic information gathering and situation analysis for political and economic decision-makers. Ms. Byrka has been part of the EMA network since 2025.
Aamer Mumtaz
Senior Advisor
Accomplished business growth and delivery advisor with over 25 years of hands-on, locally-based experience advising multinationals in Energy, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Financial Services, and more. Several years of experience building and leading successful cross-cultural operations and growth teams in the Middle East, across Europe, and in the United States. Expert in complex program management, new market development, cross border partnership development as well as operational scaling and growth. Mr. Mumtaz is based out of Lisbon and San Francisco.
Lateinamerika bietet vielfältige Chancen – auch abseits der großen Märkte. Man muss allerdings genau wissen wo lokal die Fallstricke liegen.
Dr. Georg Dufner
Zwischen “Chancenkontinent” und “Misere” liegt Afrikas Realität. Dieses Potential kann mit vor-Ort-Expertise gehoben werden.
Thomas Schiller
Außerhalb der etwa 25 Schwellenländer, auf die der Großteil der Finanzströme entfällt, erhalten die übrigen Entwicklungsländer die Mittel hauptsächlich durch Hilfe und ausländische Direktinvestitionen.
Carmen Reinhart / Kenneth Rogoff
Our references
Our clients and partners. We will be happy to provide additional references upon personal request.
What we do
You know your product, your customers and your competitors perfectly. But new markets are often complex, not only economically, but also politically, socially and culturally. Do you want to tap into new growth potential in emerging markets in Africa or Latin America in addition to the markets you are already successfully operating in? Do you have a successful product and are you facing fundamental decisions before entering the market or making a direct investment?
We can help you when it comes to political and social risks. We enable you to make your business decision with the best possible knowledge of these factors. We advise you in weighing up the fundamental regional framework conditions through to the specific local context. In doing so, we take into account global geopolitical risks as well as security issues, reputational risks and regulatory issues.
Our approach: Agile – practical – realistic
We are an international consulting boutique with the aim of providing you with comprehensive analysis and advice on political and social risks. Our focus is on Africa and Latin America. We are “hands on” and generate tangible added value for you.
Our broad international experience, our professional background, years of experience in the field and our extensive network ensure that you receive serious, realistic and valuable advice. Your success is our goal. We work with you and respond to your specific needs.
That’s why we don’t use prefabricated modules, but work together with your team and focus directly on your specific project.
Our services
International public affairs for challenging markets
Analysis, evaluation and management of the political and social situation, supply chains and sustainability from the macro level to the local level.
Precise understanding of local conditions
Detailed assessment of the local framework conditions, for example for the planned establishment of a production facility or a development project.
Targeted communication and stakeholder management
Precise local communication in terms of content and culture and identification of decision-makers, multipliers and stakeholders who are relevant to you.
Safety for seconded personnel
Risk assessment and comprehensive advice with regard to your expatriate and local personnel, including general safety and local hazards, supply chains, cultural factors and living conditions.
Studies and training for your specific needs
We prepare specialist studies on the risks of foreign assignments, tailored to your needs. Together with our cooperation partners, we conduct training courses for your employees on various topics (intercultural competence, regional and local politics, business and society, security issues) - also ideal for relocation measures.
Confidential advice, support and assistance on site
Personal advice, support and assistance on site with a hands-on mentality. Thanks to our close-knit network of experts in Africa, Europe and Latin America, we can provide you with detailed, up-to-date and specific situation reports.
ANALYSES (german)
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KfW: Auslandsgeschäft des deutschen Mittelstands stagniert
WeiterlesenLaut dem KfW-Internationalisierungsbericht 2025 hat sich das Auslandsgeschäft deutscher Mittelständler signifikant verschlechtert: Der Anteil grenzüberschreitend tätiger Unternehmen sank von 23 % auf 20 %, und die preisbereinigten Auslandsumsätze reduzierten sich 2023 um 6,5 %.
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Infrastruktur in Afrika: der Bedarf ist riesig
WeiterlesenIn der Debatte über Afrikas Wirtschaftspotential wird viel über Rohstoffe, Lebensmittel und Energie gesprochen. Um das ökonomische Potential des Kontinents zu erschließen, bedarf es aber vor allem einer verbesserten Infrastruktur. Viele Projekte sind ohne einen erheblichen Ausbau der Verkehrswege kaum umsetzbar bzw. rentabel.
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Schon wieder eine Stunde der Wahrheit?
WeiterlesenDas Freihandelsabkommen zwischen EU und MERCOSUR ist unterzeichnet – und gleichzeitig noch weit davon entfernt Realität zu werden. In Zeiten neuer geopolitischer Realitäten ist dieses Abkommen kaum überzubewerten.
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Mexiko vor einer neuen Ära?
WeiterlesenErstmalig in der Geschichte Mexikos wurde am 2.Juni mit Claudia Sheinbaum eine Frau ins Präsidentenamt gewählt, dass sie am 1. Oktober antreten wird. Sheinbaum ist das politische Ziehkind des scheidenden Präsidenten Andrés Manuel López Obrador (AMLO) – jedoch ohne relevante Hausmacht in ihrer Partei.
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Wahlen im Senegal: ein neuer Kurs ?
WeiterlesenSenegal hat einen neuen Präsidenten. Der Kandidat der Opposition, Bassirou Diomaye Faye setzte sich – für viele überraschend – bereits im ersten Wahlgang am 24. März 2024 gegen seinen Hauptkontrahenten Amadou Ba durch.
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Welche Auslandsmärkte sind für die deutsche Wirtschaft 2024 interessant?
WeiterlesenZu Beginn des Jahres führten die EMA-Gründer zahlreiche Gespräche mit deutschen und internationalen Unternehmen, vor allem aus dem industriellen Mittelstand, bei Dienstleistern und im Bereich Rohstoffe.
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Peru – ein vielversprechendes Ziel für die Unternehmensexpansion in Lateinamerika
WeiterlesenPeru besitzt eine dynamische Wirtschaft, eine junge Bevölkerung und große Potenziale für Unternehmensexpansion in Lateinamerika. In unserer Analyse stellen wir diese dar.
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Sicherheit in Afrika und Lateinamerika
WeiterlesenAfrika und Lateinamerika bieten zahlreiche Perspektiven für deutsche und europäische Unternehmen und Organisationen. Aber es gilt dabei, die Realitäten auf beiden Kontinenten nicht aus den Augen zu verlieren. Dazu gehört auch das Thema Sicherheit.
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Nachhaltigkeit in Auslandsmärkten
WeiterlesenDie klassischen drei Säulen der Nachhaltigkeit (die Balance zwischen Ökologie, Sozialem und Wirtschaft) sind hinlänglich bekannt. Wenig wird jedoch gesprochen über die Schwierigkeiten, die mit europäischen Nachhaltigkeits-Ansprüchen in Schwellen- und Entwicklungsländern einhergehen.
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Auslandsinvestitionen in Lateinamerika 2022 auf historischem Hoch
WeiterlesenIm vergangenen Jahr erreichten die ausländischen Direktinvestitionen (Foreign Direct Investment, FDI) in Lateinamerika und der Karibik – im Gegensatz zum Rest der Welt – ein Allzeithoch: 225 Milliarden US-Dollar, und damit 55 % mehr als 2021.
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Russlands Krieg in der Ukraine
WeiterlesenViel wird seit einem Jahr debattiert über die Auswirkungen des russischen Angriffskriegs gegen die Ukraine auf Schwellen- und Entwicklungsländer in Afrika und Lateinamerika. Dabei zeigt sich, dass es der deutschen Politik und Wirtschaft – trotz vorhandener Think Tanks und Regionalexpertise noch immer schwerfällt, deren Erkenntnisse in ihr Handeln und vor allem in die Entwicklung einer langfristigen Strategie gegenüber diesen Regionen einzubauen.
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Deutschlands neue Liebe für Lateinamerika
WeiterlesenWas die Regierungsbesuche auf dem Subkontinent bedeuten und was davon zu erwarten ist – ein Kommentar.
Lateinamerika und vor allem Brasilien können sich derzeit kaum deutscher Zuneigungsbekundungen erwehren. Zuerst besuchte Bundespräsident Steinmeier Brasilia, dann kam Kanzler Scholz mit Ministerin Schulze in die ABC-Staaten, Ministerin Lemke im Schlepptau und in den letzten Tage die Kabinettsmitglieder Habeck und Özdemir.