As the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) marks its 25th anniversary, experts highlight its transformative role in reshaping economic ties and infrastructure development across Africa. Launched in 2000, the platform has grown into a cornerstone of South-South collaboration, delivering $200 billion in bilateral trade and over 13,000 km of railways and roads.
From Ideals to Infrastructure
Charles Onunaiju, Director of Nigeria's Center for China Studies, credits FOCAC with addressing Africa's connectivity challenges: "From Ethiopia's electrified railway to Nigeria's Lagos-Ibadan corridor, these projects redefine development. African technicians now collaborate directly on construction sites – a revolutionary shift from past aid models."
Trade Policies with Teeth
Peking University's Professor Wang Jinjie emphasizes China's 2023 zero-tariff policy covering 98% of exports from 53 African nations: "This isn't symbolic – it's operationalized through single-window systems and trade corridors. We're seeing cooperation evolve from individual projects to integrated value chains."
Why FOCAC Works
Analysts identify three keys to FOCAC's longevity:
Jointly negotiated 10-year action plans with measurable targets
Commitment to non-interference and mutual modernization goals
Focus on continent-wide integration through initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area support
Onunaiju contrasts this with Western approaches: "While programs like AGOA remain politically conditional, FOCAC provides predictable partnership. The results speak in steel and concrete."
