Export Insights – August 2026

Driving forward the energy transition, promoting economic development and, at the same time, creating new export opportunities for German companies – the Rural Electrification Project in Angola demonstrates how this can be achieved. In the latest episode of the Export Echo podcast, experts explain the role played by the Global Gateway initiative, cooperation within Team Germany and the Federal Government’s export credit guarantees in the implementation of such large-scale projects.

The Rural Electrification Project in Angola is one of the largest projects in sub-Saharan Africa supported by the Federal Government’s export credit guarantees. The aim is to provide a reliable electricity supply to more than one million people in 60 rural communities – through the expansion of the electricity grid and decentralised solar and battery systems. More information about the project you can find here.

In this interview, Jenny Tala, Director for Southern Africa at Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI), and Rodrigo Costeira, Head of Structured Finance at the MCA Group, explain how the EU’s Global Gateway initiative, which collaboration within Team Germany and with the help of the Federal Government’s export credit guarantees, enables the implementation of such large-scale projects.

The project demonstrates how German exporters – including numerous small and medium-sized enterprises – can benefit across the entire value chain of international infrastructure projects. At the same time, export credit guarantees provide the necessary financial security for long-term investments in growth markets.

In the latest episode of Export Echo, you can find out more about Global Gateway, EPC projects and the opportunities for German companies in Africa.

Phillip Lang joined the export credit guarantees team on 1 January 2026. As a business consultant, he advises German exporters and banks on how to safeguard their international transactions and supports them in successfully arranging export finance. In this interview, he talks about his first impressions, the current challenges facing the export sector and why flex&cover can represent a real step forward for many companies.

You’ve been working as a business consultant for a few weeks now. What have been your first impressions?

What has particularly impressed me in these first few months is the diversity of the companies we support. From family-run SMEs to global market leaders, every export business has its own story. I find the many visits to companies in my area of responsibility particularly exciting. One day I might be at a machinery manufacturer, the next at a technology company or a producer of specialised products. Time and again, you come across ‘hidden champions’ who set global standards in their niche markets.

I’ve also been impressed by the teamwork at Euler Hermes. During my onboarding in particular, I’ve seen just how much experience and expertise my colleagues possess. At the same time, there’s a great willingness to support one another and share knowledge. That made my start here much easier. I was particularly pleased with the warm welcome I received from the Market team. Although we’re spread across the whole of Germany, there’s a strong team spirit and close collaboration.

What appeals to you most about your new role?

The direct interaction with exporters and banks. What motivates me most of all is the moment when an initial contact develops into a concrete and successfully secured export deal. You often see a project through over many months. This builds trust, and you experience first-hand how good advice can help turn a business idea into a successful contract.

What challenges are currently of greatest concern to German exporters?

The international business world has become significantly more complex in recent years. Geopolitical tensions, changing trade relations and intense international competition mean that many decisions have to be made under greater uncertainty than was the case just a few years ago.

Many companies are faced with the question of which markets will offer growth in the future and how opportunities can be exploited without taking on incalculable risks. At the same time, good product quality alone is often no longer enough to win an order. Increasingly, financing is also a deciding factor in winning contracts. Many foreign customers wish to purchase high-quality German products, but require suitable credit periods or financing solutions to do so. Anyone exporting today is competing not only on the basis of products, but also on the basis of financing solutions.

What role do export credit guarantees play in this market environment?

Export credit guarantees provide security for companies and financing partners. They enable exporters to submit competitive bids even in challenging markets and to offer their customers attractive financing options. For many exporters, federal cover is the difference between a good business opportunity and an actual order.

How exactly do you support companies in making use of export credit guarantees?

Our work often begins long before an application for cover is submitted. We discuss companies’ plans with them, highlight suitable covering and financing options, and help them find the right solution. Companies that have not yet used Hermes Cover in particular benefit from this personalised advice. Many are surprised by the opportunities opened up by export credit guarantees and how these can make their offerings significantly more attractive to foreign customers. But even experienced policyholders benefit from close consultation. As business advisers, we provide support for complex projects and help set the right course at an early stage.

With flex&cover, a new approach has been added to the assessment of eligibility (for cover). How would you explain the concept in a few sentences?

Flex&cover represents a genuine shift in perspective. The Federal Government no longer considers solely the individual transaction based on the goods’ origin in Germany, but places greater emphasis on a company’s overall contribution to Germany as a business location. Factors such as employment, research and development, investment and the company’s roots in Germany are taking centre stage. The focus is shifting from the individual transaction to the overall contribution to Germany as a business location.

What benefits does flex&cover offer companies in their day-to-day operations?

The biggest advantage is simplification. Companies with flex&cover status no longer need to provide fresh proof of the origin of goods for every export project. This significantly reduces the administrative burden and provides planning certainty. This means greater flexibility, particularly in global supply chains. Companies can align their procurement and production structures more closely with economic requirements and concentrate on what really matters: doing business successfully with their customers.

What feedback have you received from exporters regarding flex&cover?

The response has been consistently positive. Many companies welcome the fact that export promotion is being aligned more closely with the reality of modern value chains. For some, flex&cover is opening up easier access to export credit guarantees for the first time. Others are able to make even more tailored and competitive offers to their customers as a result. Interest in the new approach is correspondingly high.

What would you say to an exporter who hasn’t yet looked into flex&cover in detail?

Quite simply: get in touch with our business consultants. An initial discussion often allows us to quickly assess the opportunities flex&cover can offer your business. Many companies discover potential they hadn’t previously considered.

Securing Supply. Enabling Financing. Shaping the Future.

The untied loan guarantees are also being given a new tagline that succinctly captures their purpose: they support the financing of projects aimed at covering raw materials, thereby contributing to security of supply and to Germany’s future viability as a business location.

As with the export credit guarantees, the slogan forms part of the ongoing development of communications for the Federal Government’s foreign trade promotion instruments and will be used in future across the various communication channels for UFK-Guarantees.

Discover the new possibilities offered by the digital premium calculation tool, which makes calculating premiums much easier. The tool allows you to calculate fees quickly and intuitively, without the need to download anything or log in. 

The online premium calculation tool: 

• is available in German and English,
• includes the key core products and standard calculations,
• covers many different scenarios, such as multiple instalments for short-term guarantees,
• caters for different use cases, from an initial estimate to a detailed calculation, and
• provides the results in a clear layout as a PDF.

The development team is continuously expanding the online premium calculation tool. The aim is for all calculations to eventually be possible within the tool, thereby completely replacing the existing Excel tool.  

Curious? Why not try our other tools for export credit guarantees? You’ll find, for example, our preliminary check or our climate check.