CBJ - July 26 - Germany is seeking to bolster renewable energy trade with Africa, Chancellor Angela Merkel said, during her recent visit to the continent.

German solar power entrepreneurs see Africa as a potentially huge market for their products and part of Merkel's visit to Kenya included a look at the German-made solar technology at the new headquarters of the U.N. Environment Program in Nairobi.

She and UNEP Executive Director Achim Steiner toured the new office facilities, which boast more than 64,000 square feet of solar panels, energy-saving lighting and other green features.

Merkel said before the tour it was an example of how Germany and Africa can help each other economically on energy.

"Germany intends to demonstrate how it is also possible to produce energy using renewable sources," Merkel said. "I believe that Germany is a prominent leader in this field and we've discussed how we can cooperate more closely in the energy sector."

Accompanying Merkel in Africa were a group of German parliamentarians and business leaders who were seeking ways to boost the role of Germany's private sector in developing an African ‘green economy’.

Germany's renewable energy trade with Africa amounts to $396 million per year but industry backers insist that amount could be greatly boosted.