GDI fuels momentum in China-Africa collaborative growth
The Chinese dream and the African dream are intertwined and offer mutual support. Enhancing the quality and efficiency of China-Africa cooperation will provide fresh momentum to the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Africa.
TroibNews 
In September 2021, China announced the Global Development Initiative, designed to address the disparities between developed and developing nations and to robustly back developing countries. Since then, this initiative has been effectively aligned with the African Union's Agenda 2063 and the respective development strategies of various African nations. The enhancement of China-Africa collaboration was evident in the progression from the 10 major cooperation plans unveiled during the 2015 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Summit, to the eight major actions at the 2018 Summit, and subsequently to the nine programs at the 2021 Summit. Further deepening was underscored through the 10 partnership actions for modernization highlighted at the 2024 Summit, all of which are set to significantly boost Africa's sustainable growth.
Tackling the Challenges Hindering Africa’s Economic Expansion
Major hurdles impeding Africa's economic progress include outdated infrastructure, funding difficulties, and employment issues. Throughout past collaborations, significant emphasis has been placed on improving connectivity by both China and Africa. A detailed report on the accomplishments of China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative indicated vast contributions by Chinese companies in infrastructure, including over 10,000 kilometers of railway, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, 1,000 bridges, and extensive power and communication networks. Projects like the Mombasa-Nairobi railway have not only boosted infrastructure but also generated significant local employment, creating about 50,000 jobs, with 80 percent hired locally. Similar employment benefits have been seen in other projects, like the Addis Ababa Djibouti Railway and the Benguela Railway in Angola, which also included substantial training programs for locals.
Chinese firms are increasingly engaging in build-operate-transfer and public-private partnership models, which help evolve the China-Africa infrastructure collaboration into an integrated investment, construction, and operation framework. At the 2024 FOCAC summit, China pledged substantial financial support to Africa, promising 360 billion yuan over the next three years, detailed as a 210 billion yuan credit line, 80 billion yuan in various forms of assistance, and a minimum of 70 billion yuan in direct investments by Chinese firms. Additionally, the promotion of Panda Bonds issuance by African entities in China will bolster future China-Africa cooperative ventures.
Promoting Mutual Growth and Seeking Common Goals
China views Africa as a valued and equal partner, moving beyond mere humanitarian aid. As Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, bilateral trade soared to a new high of $282 billion in 2023. A special "green channel" for African agricultural exports to China has been set up, enhancing trade relations by focusing on agricultural imports from Africa—a rapidly growing sector of their economic exchange.
Data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce from December 2021 to July 2024 shows China's imports from Africa totaling $305.9 billion, introducing products like Nigerian flowers and avocados to Chinese markets, alongside popular Ethiopian and Rwandan coffee. China remains a major foreign investor in Africa, with over 3,000 Chinese companies operating in the region, pushing the stock of direct investment by the end of 2023 past $40 billion. These investments, particularly in green technologies, healthcare, and digital services, are set to propel future growth sectors in China-Africa cooperation.
Enhancing Capacity Building and Cooperation in Africa
The Global Development Initiative highlights eight critical areas including poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response, and industrialization, aligning closely with Africa’s urgent developmental needs. A notable project launched in September 2023 by China is the "African Light Belt," aimed at addressing power shortages and promoting clean energy through various supportive measures.
In agriculture, cooperation on hybrid rice technology has significantly boosted production in countries like Madagascar and Mozambique through technical transfers and cultivation innovations. Educational initiatives include numerous scholarships, a special college for South-South cooperation, and the "Head Goose Plan," enhancing local skillsets through established Luban Workshops.
Healthcare development also remains a priority, with China having constructed over 130 medical facilities in Africa and bolstering medical standards through extensive collaborative programs.
The alignment of the Chinese Dream with the African Dream underscores the mutual aspirations for development, emphasized at this year’s FOCAC summit. This relationship is poised to not only enhance the quality and efficiency of China-Africa cooperation but also invigorate the strategic partnership between the two.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
Tackling the Challenges Hindering Africa’s Economic Expansion
Major hurdles impeding Africa's economic progress include outdated infrastructure, funding difficulties, and employment issues. Throughout past collaborations, significant emphasis has been placed on improving connectivity by both China and Africa. A detailed report on the accomplishments of China-Africa cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative indicated vast contributions by Chinese companies in infrastructure, including over 10,000 kilometers of railway, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, 1,000 bridges, and extensive power and communication networks. Projects like the Mombasa-Nairobi railway have not only boosted infrastructure but also generated significant local employment, creating about 50,000 jobs, with 80 percent hired locally. Similar employment benefits have been seen in other projects, like the Addis Ababa Djibouti Railway and the Benguela Railway in Angola, which also included substantial training programs for locals.
Chinese firms are increasingly engaging in build-operate-transfer and public-private partnership models, which help evolve the China-Africa infrastructure collaboration into an integrated investment, construction, and operation framework. At the 2024 FOCAC summit, China pledged substantial financial support to Africa, promising 360 billion yuan over the next three years, detailed as a 210 billion yuan credit line, 80 billion yuan in various forms of assistance, and a minimum of 70 billion yuan in direct investments by Chinese firms. Additionally, the promotion of Panda Bonds issuance by African entities in China will bolster future China-Africa cooperative ventures.
Promoting Mutual Growth and Seeking Common Goals
China views Africa as a valued and equal partner, moving beyond mere humanitarian aid. As Africa's largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, bilateral trade soared to a new high of $282 billion in 2023. A special "green channel" for African agricultural exports to China has been set up, enhancing trade relations by focusing on agricultural imports from Africa—a rapidly growing sector of their economic exchange.
Data from the Chinese Ministry of Commerce from December 2021 to July 2024 shows China's imports from Africa totaling $305.9 billion, introducing products like Nigerian flowers and avocados to Chinese markets, alongside popular Ethiopian and Rwandan coffee. China remains a major foreign investor in Africa, with over 3,000 Chinese companies operating in the region, pushing the stock of direct investment by the end of 2023 past $40 billion. These investments, particularly in green technologies, healthcare, and digital services, are set to propel future growth sectors in China-Africa cooperation.
Enhancing Capacity Building and Cooperation in Africa
The Global Development Initiative highlights eight critical areas including poverty alleviation, food security, COVID-19 response, and industrialization, aligning closely with Africa’s urgent developmental needs. A notable project launched in September 2023 by China is the "African Light Belt," aimed at addressing power shortages and promoting clean energy through various supportive measures.
In agriculture, cooperation on hybrid rice technology has significantly boosted production in countries like Madagascar and Mozambique through technical transfers and cultivation innovations. Educational initiatives include numerous scholarships, a special college for South-South cooperation, and the "Head Goose Plan," enhancing local skillsets through established Luban Workshops.
Healthcare development also remains a priority, with China having constructed over 130 medical facilities in Africa and bolstering medical standards through extensive collaborative programs.
The alignment of the Chinese Dream with the African Dream underscores the mutual aspirations for development, emphasized at this year’s FOCAC summit. This relationship is poised to not only enhance the quality and efficiency of China-Africa cooperation but also invigorate the strategic partnership between the two.
Mathilde Moreau for TROIB News
