As 2025 draws to a close, China continues to solidify its role as a cornerstone of South-South cooperation, driving infrastructure development and capacity-building initiatives across Africa and the Global South. Professor Dan Banik of the University of Oslo emphasized this momentum in a recent interview, stating that China's approach prioritizes long-term collaboration over short-term gains.
Infrastructure and Beyond
Banik highlighted China's multisectoral investments in energy, healthcare, and education, which have accelerated regional development this year. He dismissed allegations of "debt-trap diplomacy," noting a lack of empirical evidence and underscoring Beijing's focus on sustainable financing models.
A New Paradigm in Development
With African nations increasingly leveraging Chinese expertise for port modernization and renewable energy projects, 2025 has seen strengthened cross-continental ties. Banik pointed to technology transfers and vocational training programs as key drivers of equitable growth, aligning with the Global South's evolving priorities.
