Beginning with the landmark 1955 Bandung Conference, China and African nations embarked on a path of solidarity and cooperation. Over the past seven decades, guided by the Five Principles of Peaceful Coexistence and the Bandung Spirit of “solidarity, friendship, and cooperation,” both sides have explored independent development paths and confronted global challenges together. China’s successful modernisation with Chinese characteristics offers an alternative model for Global South countries, from which African nations have drawn valuable inspiration and tangible benefits.  As key…

The University of South Africa (Unisa) made history on 25 April 2025 by hosting the launch of the Academia-Public-Private-Diplomatic Corps Forum at the G20 Africa Investment Summit (AIS), a first-of-its-kind initiative to unite universities, governments, businesses, and diplomats in advancing Africa’s economic transformation. Themed “The Road to G20 Through Research, Innovation, and Collaboration in the Intelligent Age”, the event brought together G20 delegates, government officials, business leaders, academics, diplomats, and traditional leaders to forge actionable strategies for Africa’s sustainable development.…

Since the start of its “going global” strategy in March 2000, China has pursued a more open approach to cooperation, backed by the aspiration for shared prosperity. Needless to say, this has not been without resistance. Indeed, there has been a wave of anxiety-driven economic policies in the West, particularly in the US. In contrast, as we advance towards globalisation and shared prosperity, such restrictive trade policies and economic insecurity can only be counterproductive, to say the least. However, now…

Many African thinkers and experts have long spoken about the potential economic power of the continent and what should be done to realize this potential. Our leaders of yesteryear have clearly outlined a program of action meant to achieve the stated objectives.  The internal strives within many countries that have pioneered this project impacted at the pace and tempo of the implementation of this program. The major objective of the program adopted in 1963 by the Organization of African Unity…

As the world crosses the midpoint of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) timeline, Africa stands at a pivotal moment. With just five years left to hit the ambitious targets of Agenda 2030, the continent faces a stark reality: progress is real but uneven, and the clock is ticking. Are Africa’s 54 nations on track to end poverty, reduce inequality, and foster sustainable growth by 2030, or are they slipping behind? The answer, it seems, is both, depending on…

Humming factories, bustling ports, and shuttling merchants highlight the vibrancy of China-Africa economic and trade cooperation. Over the years, this partnership has grown significantly, optimising trade structures and fostering mutual development. This deepening collaboration is evident in China’s role as Africa’s largest bilateral trading partner for 15 consecutive years.  During the first seven months of 2024, trade between China and African countries reached $167 billion, reflecting a 5.5-percent increase compared to the same period in 2023. According to the International…

It’s that time of the year again when we find ourselves reflecting on the year that was and the year ahead. On the African continent, many countries are still recovering from the aftershocks of the COVID-19 pandemic and are doing so amid a fraught geopolitical environment. These tensions have, to some extent, created hurdles in the path of Africa’s recovery.  The African Development Bank has attributed the economic slowdown on the continent to astronomical inflation caused by soaring food and…

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa has bestowed the prestigious Order of South Africa on Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço during his State Visit to South Africa on Thursday, December 12, 2024. The Order is the highest honour that South Africa bestows on its citizens and distinguished foreign nationals. During the state visit, the two leaders engaged in extensive discussions aimed at strengthening bilateral agreements and enhancing diplomatic relations between their nations. President Ramaphosa congratulated President Lourenço on his re-election…

The recently held 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing under the theme Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future unequivocally demonstrated that FOCAC remains the most important flagship collaborative platform between China and Africa and continues to deliver wide-ranging, tangible economic and social results.  The summit unanimously adopted the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era and…

It has been my privilege to witness a huge transformation and pivot as well as an enormous development of China from a close distance during my years living in China. I will say that if ever there was a time when African countries needed to be modernised, it is now.   Themed Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future, the goal of the 2024 Summit on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing is…