On December 1, 2024, China implemented a new policy granting zero-tariff treatment to 100% of tariff lines on products originating from the world’s least developed countries (LDCs) that have diplomatic relations with China. Among the beneficiaries of this initiative are 33 African nations, marking a significant milestone in Africa-China economic relations. This transformative policy aligns with commitments made at the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in September. During the summit, China pledged to unilaterally expand market…

The economic clout of developing countries is rising amid tectonic shifts in global affairs. This trend has led to discussions on the sustainable development of the Global South and calls for greater participation by developing countries in global governance. Following the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in September, which set new ground for China-Africa cooperation, the 2024 China International Import Expo (CIIE) – another major event – held from 5 to 10 November, continued to…

Madagascar’s lamb, Ethiopia’s coffee, South Sudan’s shea butter … the exhibits at the Food and Agricultural Products zone of the seventh China International Import Expo (CIIE) attracted a lot of attention.  Held annually in Shanghai, the CIIE is regarded as an important platform for Africa to enter the vast Chinese market. African participation at this year’s expo is especially strong after China decided to offer all least developed countries with diplomatic relations with China, including 33 countries in Africa, zero-tariff…

Access to drinking water has significantly improved for the residents of Yaoundé, the capital of Cameroon, and the surrounding areas, thanks to the inauguration of the Drinking Water Supply Project for Yaoundé and Its Surroundings from the Sanaga River (PAEPYS) on 20 August. The project draws water from the Sanaga River and treats it at the Batchenga Plant, which is located around 65 km from Yaoundé. The inauguration ceremony, which was presided over by the Minister of Water and Energy…

As prominent members of the Global South, China and African nations have a historic responsibility to uphold peace and promote common development against a backdrop of intertwined challenges and opportunities. Over 100 scholars hailing from China and about 50 African nations reviewed decades of China-Africa cooperation, discussed future paths for global development, and adopted the Dar es Salaam Consensus during the 13th China-Africa Think Tanks Forum in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, on 8 March.  The consensus outlines eight key initiatives,…

Leaders, students and parents in Uganda have hailed China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) Uganda Ltd. for its supporting role in the country’s education sector, including building schools, paying school fees and sponsoring activities to keep students in school.  The oil giant recognised 218 top-performing students from oil-rich districts of Hoima and Kikuube on 12 September during the CNOOC Best Performers Awards Ceremony at its Kikuube District Headquarters.  A statement from CNOOC Uganda said that the awards reflect the vision…

In the summer of 2024, many parts of the world experienced historic high temperatures, which shows that the impact and risks of climate change on the world are growing, especially for Africa. In recent years, climate-related disasters have become more frequent and severe, posing a great threat to the continent’s food security, energy security, ecological balance and socio-economic development.  At the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference in 2023, more than 100 countries signed the Global Declaration on Renewable Energy…

Nigeria still seems fixated on the Global North as the wind blows in the opposite direction. The largest foreign investors in Nigeria – the UK, the Netherlands, France and the US – have not changed style since the 1950s. Their investments are mainly elitist, essentially in oil and gas, and ammunition, and portfolio investments, which mainly profit them, not Nigeria. Over time, not much has changed, and little has been done to invest in areas that improve the everyday life…

China has taught the world that democracy is not one-dimensional and it can take various forms. Election is a common and important feature of the Western democracy, but it is characterised by weak governance due to short-term planning and lack of people-centred political stances. However, not all Western democracies have the same type of governance system: different countries adopt different models.  China’s Constitution states that all power of the state belongs to the people. The National People’s Congress (NPC) and…

In the view of Vertu Ikombo Otoka, life in the Republic of the Congo has transformed greatly since the completion of the No.1 National Highway. Born in Brazzaville, the country’s capital, he has witnessed firsthand the significant impact of this highway on the nation’s economic development, particularly in the rural regions it connects.   “When I was young, it was hard to imagine there would be a road linking Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire, the country’s financial centre, due to the complex geographical…