Germany cuts funding for UN-backed tech transfer offices by 2026
Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) has announced plans to stop funding two Investment and Technology Promotion Offices (ITPOs) in Bonn and Berlin. The decision will bring the ITPO Germany project to an end by late 2026, citing financial limitations as the primary reason for the closure. The ITPOs were created in 2016 through a partnership with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). Their role was to help transfer technology to developing and emerging economies. Over the years, the offices have operated with significant financial backing from the BMZ.
In 2024, the ITPOs required €1.7 million to function, with costs expected to rise to €1.8 million in 2025. Despite their ongoing work, the ministry has confirmed that funding will no longer be available after 2026. This move will also terminate the existing agreement with UNIDO. The decision has faced criticism from the African Energy Chamber, a South African advocacy group. The organisation has publicly condemned the closure, arguing that the ITPOs played a vital role in supporting technological progress in developing regions.
The shutdown of the ITPOs will take full effect by the end of 2026. The BMZ’s withdrawal of funding marks the conclusion of a decade-long initiative aimed at boosting technology transfer. The closure will also dissolve the formal collaboration with UNIDO, leaving a gap in support for emerging economies.
