The upcoming 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), set to take place in Beijing, marks a significant milestone in the enduring partnership between China and Africa. Held every three years alternately in China and Africa, FOCAC is one of the most comprehensive and influential platforms for promoting collective dialogue and practical cooperation between these two historic partners.
As the summit approaches, numerous African leaders are preparing to attend, aiming to strengthen strategic partnerships with China. They seek to enhance regional and multilateral cooperation to support global peace and security, intensify collaboration in green and blue economies, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure development, and explore opportunities for post-conflict reconstruction.
In 2021, China and Africa jointly formulated the China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035, aligning with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the national development strategies of African countries. This Vision focuses on sustainable economic and social development, job creation, poverty eradication, improving education, enhancing water and power supply facilities, and promoting peace, inclusive growth, and industrialization. It also emphasizes green and low-carbon development, digital advancement, and renewable energy cooperation.
Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China’s infrastructure projects—including highways, railways, ports, bridges, and submarine cables—have benefitted over 900 million Africans. Water-saving pilot areas in Mauritania, Nigeria, and Ethiopia are improving local communities, while the use of Juncao grass technology is creating green jobs in countries like Kenya and Rwanda.
Addressing Africa’s energy crisis and vulnerability to climate change, green development will be a key focus at the FOCAC 2024 Summit. China has implemented several clean energy projects in Africa, such as the Garissa Solar Power Station in Kenya and the Kaleta Hydropower Station in Guinea, helping to alleviate energy shortages. Emphasizing green development will accelerate Africa’s clean energy transition and fortify efforts to tackle climate challenges.
China is also assisting African countries in modernizing their digital landscape by investing in internet infrastructure and connectivity through the BRI. These investments are advancing Africa’s telecommunications and data infrastructure. Chinese companies like Huawei and ZTE have expanded mobile and internet access across the continent, facilitating economic activities, social development, and digital inclusion.
The China-Africa Internet Development and Digital Cooperation Forums are expanding collaboration into artificial intelligence (AI), which is estimated to increase Africa’s GDP by $2.9 trillion by 2030. Sharing expertise in digital development and information and communication technology (ICT) will drive the continent’s digitalization and poverty alleviation efforts, building digital capacity for future growth.
As China and Africa prepare for the FOCAC 2024 Summit in Beijing, the commitment to deepening their partnership signals a shared vision for stability and sustainable growth. Through continued cooperation in infrastructure, green development, and digital innovation, both partners aim to create a prosperous future that benefits their peoples and contributes to global development.
Reference(s):
China builds conditions for Africa's stability and sustainable growth
cgtn.com
