As Africa Day celebrations unfolded this week, African diplomats in Beijing offered fresh insights into the deepening partnership between China and the continent. In exclusive interviews with CGTN, ambassadors emphasized how collaboration with Beijing is accelerating infrastructure development, technology transfer, and sustainable growth across Africa.
Rahmat Allah Mohamed Osman, Permanent Representative of the African Union to China, noted: "Our cooperation extends beyond traditional aid models. From the Belt and Road Initiative to green energy projects, we're building capacity for self-driven development." The envoy highlighted completed projects like Kenya's Standard Gauge Railway and Ethiopia's Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway as transformational infrastructure achievements.
Multiple ambassadors pointed to China's support in addressing Africa's $100 billion annual infrastructure gap. "Through FOCAC [Forum on China-Africa Cooperation], we've established over 20 industrial parks and created 137,000 direct jobs since 2018," said one West African diplomat, referencing the partnership's tangible outcomes.
The discussions coincided with new data showing China-Africa trade reaching $282 billion in 2023, with African agricultural exports to China growing 27% year-on-year. Technology collaboration emerged as a key theme, with several envoys praising Chinese investments in Africa's digital economy and vocational training programs.
While acknowledging challenges in debt sustainability, participants expressed confidence in the partnership's future. The African Union representative concluded: "Our cooperation model respects African agency while addressing critical development needs – this alignment makes it truly strategic."
