When exactly Prof. Dr. Karl-Werner Schulte’s heart began to beat for Africa cannot be determined. A trip to Morocco in the mid-80s counts as one of his earliest visits to the African continent. By 2001 at the latest, he developed an inner connection and great love for Africa. As the then acting president of the International Real Estate Society (IRES), he and his wife Dr. Gisela Schulte-Daxbök attended a conference of the African Real Estate Society (AfRES) for the first time. The conference had a great impact on him, because it was much more lively, emotional and passionate than any comparable European or American conference.

He has attended almost every AfRES conference since 2001. In whatever country of the African continent he fostered knowledge and ideas, he always received a warm welcome and established many connections. By nurturing talent, he continues to contribute significantly to the advancement of the African real estate industry in both academia and practice. Many of the talented people he promoted not only became pillars of AfRES, but hold important offices and positions in politics and business. Of particular note is Dr. Moses Mpogole Kusiluka, whom Prof. Dr. Karl-Werner Schulte met at an AfRES conference and is now part of the government of Tanzania. In the AfRES universe, Prof. Dr. Karl-Werner Schulte still plays the role of a “fixed star” around which ideas and creative minds revolve at conferences. As a sign of the deepest appreciation for his role, he was appointed Chief in 2005, with the significant name “Nana Obuanipa AfRES I”. Apart from the conferences, Prof. Dr. Karl-Werner Schulte has also been involved with the continent in various ways, be it by organizing book donations for universities or through his financial and material commitment to the orphanage Kurasini Children’s Home in Dar Es Salaam Tanzania.

And of course Schalke 04 must not be left out! In Dar Es Salaam Tanzania, he founded the first Schalke 04 fan club in Africa “Blue & White Africa” in 2013, and has been known as “Afrika-Kalle” ever since. Together with the fan club, he organized the large-scale fundraising campaign “Schalke-Fans 4 Africa” to support the orphanage.

The non-profit foundation he established, the “IRE|BS Foundation for African Real Estate Research”, supports African universities in the development of courses of study, as well as doctoral and master’s students in the field of real estate.

The warmest connection between Karl-Werner Schulte and Africa was particularly evident during the announcement of the Dr. Gisela Schulte-Daxbök Memorial Award for Women in Africa at the AfRES Conference 2020 in Tanzania.

Meanwhile, Prof. Dr. Karl-Werner Schulte has traveled to more than 25 countries in Africa and his thirst is not yet quenched.