Africa’s Industrialisation Journey

China and African countries are in different development stages, but they have the same mission of pursuing industrialisation. History shows that industrialisation is the inevitable path for economic development, as well as the key for African countries to realise inclusive and sustainable development, create employment, alleviate poverty and improve people’s livelihoods.

Since the beginning of this century, Africa has made ambitious industrialisation plans, such as the New Partnership for Africa’s Development, Action Plan for the Accelerated Industrial Development of Africa, and Agenda 2063. These plans have played and are playing vital roles in pushing forward the industrialisation process in different African countries. However, due to backward infrastructure and insufficient systematic coordination, Africa’s industrialisation has been relatively slow. High-quality international cooperation can help lift the region’s industrialisation level.

China and Africa complement each other in industrial development. China has advantages in manufacturing capacity and technology, equipment, talent, and financial support, while African countries boast abundant labour, rich natural resources and big markets. Thus, China-Africa cooperation in industrialisation can benefit both sides.

China-Africa cooperation in industrialisation is being undertaken under cooperation mechanisms such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and are progressing in an organised manner. At the eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference held in 2021 in Dakar, Senegal, China announced that during the three years from 2022 to 2024, it would undertake 10 industrialisation and employment promotion projects for Africa, provide credit facilities of $10 billion to African financial institutions, and support the development of African small and medium-sized enterprises on a priority basis.

One of the elements of China-Africa cooperation in industrialisation is building industrial parks in African countries. These parks have relatively good infrastructure and complete industrial chains, and thus can help in attracting investment and creating jobs.

One example is the Zambia-China Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone in Chambishi in Copperbelt Province, Zambia, established by China Nonferrous Metal Mining (Group) Co. Ltd. Most companies that have invested in the park are related to mining, beneficiation, smelting and processing of resources such as copper and cobalt. There are also some Chinese and local private companies that provide services such as machine repair and logistics.

China-Africa industrial cooperation is gaining new momentum under the solid support of Chinese and African governments. On 24 August 2023, at the China-Africa Leaders’ Dialogue held on the sidelines of the 15th

BRICS Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, China released the Initiative on Supporting Africa’s Industrialisation, the Plan for China Supporting Africa’s Agricultural Modernisation, and the Plan for China-Africa Cooperation on Talent Development, to tap the potential of Africa’s manufacturing sector, digital industry and renewable energy development, and provide solid support for African industrialisation.

In conclusion, China-Africa industrial cooperation has undeniably brought about positive changes, including increased investment, enhanced infrastructure and diversified economies.