China-Africa cooperation poised for growth, says AU envoy

The African Union became the first regional international organisation to sign a cooperation plan with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a partnership aimed at boosting African industrialisation and advancing the continent’s “Agenda 2063” development blueprint.

China’s recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit, held in Beijing, has been described as pivotal for strengthening ties between China and Africa, according to Rahmat Allah Mohamed Osman, the African Union’s (AU) permanent representative to China. Speaking in an interview with Global Times, Osman highlighted that both sides have mutually beneficial needs and emphasised the importance of China’s ongoing support in agriculture, industry, and talent development for Africa’s progress.

The African Union became the first regional international organisation to sign a cooperation plan with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a partnership aimed at boosting African industrialisation and advancing the continent’s “Agenda 2063” development blueprint. Osman remarked that this partnership is expected to accelerate Africa’s industrialisation and modernisation efforts, which are seen as key pillars of the continent’s growth and prosperity.

China has also introduced several initiatives under FOCAC to support Africa, including the 2023 launch of plans for agricultural modernisation and talent development. Osman commented that these initiatives directly address Africa’s urgent needs for development and are vital for building the continent’s capacity to achieve long-term prosperity.

Osman pointed to ongoing improvements in trade relations, with African goods such as Kenyan flowers and avocados, as well as Ethiopian and Rwandan coffee, entering the Chinese market. He expressed optimism about the potential for further growth in trade.

Responding to claims of Chinese neo-colonialism in Africa, Osman dismissed these accusations as unfounded. He stressed that China has historically respected Africa’s voice, offering tangible support in contrast to the Western colonial past, which exploited Africa’s resources with little regard for local development.