Source: IGIHE Published: 2024-11-15

By Théophile Niyitegeka

Scholars, researchers, media professionals, private sector representatives and experts from Africa, China, and other regions have hailed China’s contributions to Africa’s development, recognizing it as a trusted partner committed to a relationship of mutual benefit.

These insights emerged during a virtual seminar organized by the Africa-China Review publication, in collaboration with the Chinese Embassy in Rwanda.

The event, themed “24 Years of FOCAC: The Impact of China-Africa Cooperation,” was held on Thursday 14, November and explored the strategic achievements of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), highlighting its role as a model for South-South cooperation.

Since its inception in 2000, FOCAC has become a cornerstone in China-Africa relations, facilitating cooperation through summits held every three years, alternating between China and African nations.

China has remained Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years, with bilateral trade reaching a record 282.1 billion U.S. dollars in 2023, and expected to surpass $300 billion in 2035.

The latest summit, held in Beijing in September 2023, marked another milestone, with leaders from over 50 African nations joining Chinese President Xi Jinping and United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres to strengthen this evolving partnership.

During the summit, Xi called for elevating China-Africa relations to the level of “all-weather” strategic partnerships, a concept aimed at building a long-term, collaborative future for both regions.

To further solidify this commitment, President Xi pledged RMB 360 billion (approximately USD 50.7 billion) in financial support for Africa over the next three years.

These funds will support the implementation of 10 partnership action plans, to be implemented in the next three years, covering areas of; mutual learning among civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, green development and common security.

At the seminar, Chinese Ambassador to Rwanda Wang Xuekun affirmed China’s dedication to implementing FOCAC outcomes, expressing China’s commitment to “work with Rwanda and other African brothers and sisters to strengthen South-South cooperation.”

Amb. Wang emphasized China’s willingness to support Africa’s modernization efforts and the vision of a shared future.

Former Somalian Deputy Prime Minister currently serving as a parliamentarian, Mahdi Gulaid reflected on the transformative journey of FOCAC, noting that it represents a unique platform for inclusive growth.

He pointed out that, over the past 24 years, China’s involvement in Africa has spanned critical areas of development including infrastructure, healthcare, and agriculture.

Gulaid noted, “This journey is a testament to what can be achieved when regions work together towards shared aspirations.”

The event also addressed China’s development-oriented initiatives, such as the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and global security frameworks, which support Africa’s industrialization goals.

“China’s collaboration with Africa is rooted in mutual respect and has been instrumental in realizing Africa’s Agenda 2063,” Gulaid added. For instance, in Somalia, Chinese-built infrastructure, such as stadiums and hospitals, has contributed to local economic development.

Rwandan government representative Virgile Rwanyagatare, Director General for Asia, Pacific, and Middle East Affairs, characterized FOCAC as a platform for people-to-people collaboration across diplomacy, economy, and culture.

He commended the enduring partnership between Rwanda and China, which has fostered projects in healthcare, education, and infrastructure, supported by Chinese grants and concessional loans.

Since 2019, China’s investments in Rwanda have surpassed USD 1.2 billion, spanning key sectors like manufacturing, construction, and mining.

“Rwanda is committed to implementing FOCAC outcomes for the social and economic advancement of our people,” Rwanyagatare stated, emphasizing the importance of ongoing collaboration.

China’s contributions to Rwanda are further exemplified by projects like the upgrade of Masaka District Hospital, which will form part of the Kigali University Teaching Hospital (CHUK) and expand its capacity to 837 beds.

The two nations have also seen bilateral trade reach $ 550 million in 2023, with a notable 86.2% increase in Chinese imports from Rwanda.

Rwanyagatare expressed optimism about FOCAC’s role in strengthening Africa-China relations.

Mushahid Hussain, Chairman of the Pakistan-China Institute, remarked that the modernization journeys of China and Africa have become essential components of global progress.

He observed that China’s approach to development, devoid of conditionalities, is based on “peaceful development, win-win cooperation, and inclusivity.”

Hussain praised the BRI as “the most significant global initiative of the 21st century,” advocating for Africa’s continued partnership with China.

Adding to this perspective, Dr. Wang Wen, Executive Dean of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies, underscored the FOCAC summit’s impact on strengthening relations.

He highlighted China’s extensive infrastructure projects in Africa, where Chinese enterprises have constructed over 10,000 kilometers of railways, 100,000 kilometers of highways, and built or upgraded numerous ports, medical facilities, and schools.

Dr. Wang remarked, “The FOCAC platform promotes revolutionary development in history,” asserting that FOCAC and similar initiatives are catalysts for economic cooperation.

University of Rwanda lecturer Dr. Ismael Buchanan acknowledged that the China-Africa friendship is rooted in years of support and collaboration, recalling China’s assistance in critical times such as the post-independence era and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

He noted that China’s cooperation in human resources, education, and skill development has bridged the skills gap, benefiting more than 200 Rwandan students who have graduated from Chinese institutions.

“China’s support has been vital for Africa’s human resources development, and we are confident in this new chapter of our cooperation,” Buchanan said.

Mubarak Mugabo, a journalist working with Vision Group in Uganda, applauded the opportunities created through FOCAC, which have enabled many Africans, including himself, to pursue higher education in China. Mugabo completed his postgraduate studies at Peking University, an experience he described as transformative.

He further underscored China’s pivotal role in Uganda’s socio-economic development, particularly in addressing the country’s electricity challenges after independence. Through the construction of hydropower plants and the funding of various infrastructure projects, China has significantly boosted Uganda’s energy capacity.

“Uganda’s electricity generation capacity now stands at 2,000 megawatts, and half of this—1,000 megawatts—has been achieved with funding from China,” he explained. Mugabo also noted that Uganda exports electricity to neighboring countries, including the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Kenya, with plans underway to extend exports to South Sudan.

Nigerian scholar Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Center for China Studies, argued that cooperation between China and Africa is key to building a shared future for humanity.

He stressed the importance of strengthening Africa’s domestic capacity through China’s support in infrastructure, suggesting that African nations leverage these opportunities to address strategic vulnerabilities and promote sustainable development.

Kenyan international relations expert Dr. Adhere Cavince reinforced this sentiment, describing China-Africa relations as “the model of South-South cooperation.”

He urged African countries to seek a deeper understanding of China’s development model to replicate some of its successes. However, he also recommended that African nations harmonize their development strategies to expedite regional transformation with the support of development partners.

As China and Africa continue to strengthen their ties, both regions remain committed to supporting each other in achieving their modernization goals.