The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was formally inaugurated at its first Ministerial Conference in October 2000 in Beijing, upon the joint initiative of China and Africa. It aims to strengthen friendly cooperation between China and African countries to meet the challenges of economic globalization in search of common prosperity. The FOCAC promotes understanding, consensus-building, friendship and collaboration through consultation based on equality.
FOCAC members include China, the 53 African states that have established diplomatic relations with China, and the Commission of the African Union. The FOCAC Ministerial Conference is held every three years, and to date, nine conferences have been convened in Beijing (2000, 2006, 2012, 2018 and 2024), Addis Ababa (2003), Sharm El Sheikh (2009), Johannesburg (2015) and Dakar (2021).
The FOCAC 2024 summit took place from the 4th to the 6th of September and in attendance were 53 Heads of African states. It has been considered the largest diplomatic event hosted by China in recent years. The central theme of the 2024 FOCAC summit is “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”.
In his keynote address, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of China-Africa cooperation. The two parties account for one-third of the world population based on which Xi said without their modernization, there would be no modernization of the world. He stated that in the next three years, China will work with Africa to take ten strategic partnership actions for modernization to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernization.
The 10 Key Partnership Actions from FOCAC 2024
Mutual Learning among Civilizations. China is ready to work with Africa to build a platform for governance experience sharing, a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and 25 centres on China and Africa studies.
Trade Prosperity. China will voluntarily and unilaterally open its market wider and has decided to give all least developed countries (LDCs) having diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff treatment for 100 per cent tariff lines.
Industrial Chain Cooperation. China will foster industry cooperation growth clusters with Africa, push forward the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, and launch an “African SMEs empowerment program.”
Connectivity. China is prepared to carry out 30 infrastructure connectivity projects in Africa, promote together high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and put in place a China-Africa network featuring land-sea links and coordinated development.
Development Cooperation. China is ready to release the Joint Statement on Deepening Cooperation within the Framework of the Global Development Initiative with Africa and implement 1,000 “small and beautiful” livelihood projects.
Health. China will establish hospital alliances with Africa and joint medical centres. China will send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa, and launch 20 programs of health facilities and malaria treatment.
Agriculture and Livelihoods. China will provide Africa with RMB1 billion in emergency food assistance, build 100,000 mu (about 6,670 hectares) of standardized agriculture demonstration areas in Africa, send 500 agricultural experts and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance.
People-to-People Exchanges. China and Africa will implement the Future of Africa-Vocational Education Cooperation Plan. This will involve the establishment of a joint engineering technology academy and the construction of ten Luban Workshops.
Green Development. China will launch 30 clean energy projects in Africa and establish meteorological early warning systems. They will also collaborate on disaster prevention, mitigation and relief and biodiversity conservation.
Common Security. China will partner with Africa to implement the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and make it a fine example of GSI cooperation. Also, China will give Africa RMB1 billion in grants for military assistance, provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers from Africa and invite 500 young African military officers to visit China.
To implement the above, China will provide Africa with RMB360 billion in financial support over the next three years. Of the total, RMB210 billion will be in the form of credit, RMB80 billion will be grants and RMB70 billion in investment in Africa by Chinese companies.
Implications for Africa
The shift in focus from infrastructure to sustainable development has some implications for African countries. First, it signals a recognition of the need to balance economic growth with environmental protection and social equity. Second, it aligns with the global agenda on sustainable development, positioning African countries as key players in addressing global challenges.
However, the transition towards sustainable development will present challenges for African countries. The capacity to implement sustainable development policies may vary across different African countries, depending on their institutional frameworks, governance structures and access to resources.
Despite these challenges, the shift in focus at FOCAC 2024 represents a positive step towards a more sustainable and equitable future for Africa. By prioritizing sustainable development, green finance and climate change, China and African countries demonstrate a shared commitment to building a more resilient and prosperous continent.
What will China gain from this Cooperation?
China’s cooperation with Africa through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) is indeed aimed at long-term benefits and partnership, which is evident from the comprehensive and strategic nature of the engagements outlined at the 2024 summit. Here’s how China stands to gain from this partnership.
Trad. China has been a major trade partner for Africa overtaking Western countries in that regard. Through these partnerships, China would enhance its trade relations with Africa, which has been its second-largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years. New agreements on trade and investment are expected to further boost economic ties between China and Africa.
Opportunities for Chinese Business: by investing in infrastructure projects across Africa, China opens up new opportunities for its own construction and engineering companies. Additionally, the upgrade in infrastructure and relationships means more opportunities for Chinese businesses to penetrate the largely untapped African market.
Strengthen Strategic Partnerships: The summit witnessed the strengthening of strategic partnerships with multiple African countries, which is very crucial for China’s foreign policy and global influence.
Promotion of Chinese Values: Strengthening people-to-people bonds through cultural and educational exchanges can lead to a better understanding of Chinese culture and values, enhancing China’s global soft power.
Opportunities for Chinese Technology. Africa presents a somewhat different terrain and China can advance technologically by partnering the continent in various areas. China can leverage cooperation in areas like digital economy, renewable energy and technology transfer to accelerate its technological advancements and to extend its reach in these sectors abroad.
What the Future Holds…
FOCAC 2024 has marked a pivotal moment in China-Africa relations, highlighting a shared commitment to a future of mutual growth and development. The summit’s key points have underscored the depth and breadth of cooperation, spanning from infrastructure and trade to cultural exchanges and security partnerships.
As we look to the future, the dawn of this new era in China-Africa relations holds much promise. The expectations are high for the tangible outcomes of the summit to manifest in the form of completed infrastructure projects, thriving trade relations and a new wave of technological and educational exchanges. The world will be watching the evolution of this partnership, which could shape the course of international development and cooperation for years to come.
While China may be viewed differently by others who are also competing for space in Africa and many feared China’s relationship with African countries could dip following recent issues with debt default and accusations of debt traps by the international community, FOCAC 2024 stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of partnership between China and Africa. This pivotally offers a vision of shared progress and a commitment to a future that values solidarity, inclusivity, and sustainable growth. The summit’s success will be measured beyond the agreements to include the enduring impact these partnerships would have on the people in China and Africa.
Michael Oduro is a former student of the University of Ghana and while there, he served as President of the Chinese Students Association. He is pursuing a Master’s degree with a major in International Chinese Language Education at the Beijing Foreign Studies University in China.
