24 Aug Roundtable focusing on the future of Africa and China

Africa’s top diplomat has revealed the continent’s desire for Chinese initiatives and businesses to shift away from developing infrastructure, into culturing more local industrialisation.

“African integration is already escalating and many African countries (have) asked China to consider (a) shift (of) focus,” Wu Peng, director-general of China’s Department of African Affairs at its foreign ministry, said during a briefing this Tuesday, which took place during the BRICS summit in South Africa.

“No matter what happens about the global economy, or Chinese economy, the trend in the relatively midterm or long range, Chinese companies are willing to take some risk (to) go into Africa,” Wu added.

Africa seeks China to create a local industry that enables the use of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Launched at the start of 2021, the AfCFTA will allow African countries to trade tariff-free in the future. Funding the continent whilst helping provide food security through trade agreements.

Historically, China has been a strong supporter of the African economy. A study by the University of Boston reveals an estimated $160 billion was agreed to be lent to Africa during the twenty-year period between 2000 and 2020.

New initiatives will lead to the creation of further data centres around Africa, through the proposed relationship with China. The strengthening of local infrastructure will also allow for a large number of fire, safety and security roles to be developed on a scale accessible to the average African citizen.