Capacitybuilding Agenda

China’s shared experience in eradicating poverty can help Africa on its path to sustainable development

Mbelwa Kairuki, Ambassador of Tanzania to China, is excited by the opportunities brought about by the cassava plant after an agreement was signed in May, between his country and China, to export the dried nutrient-rich root vegetable.

“This [exporting cassava to China] is a very big opportunity that could uplift many people out of poverty. If we work with China to acquire new technology, Tanzania will definitely benefit lucratively from the market access of dry cassava in China,” said Kairuki at the Youth Forum of 2017 Global Poverty Reduction and Development Forum and the Second China-africa Youth Exchange Program on Poverty Reduction and Development held in Beijing on October 9.

Kairuki’s expectation mirrors Africa’s ongoing efforts of reducing poverty through inclusive economic development, an area in which China has proven experience. Organized by the International Poverty Reduction Center in China and supported by the United Nations Development Program, the forum brought together youths from China and African countries to share their wisdom on how China and Africa can further strengthen their economic ties. nisms like the Forum on China-africa Cooperation (FOCAC). To fully reap the intended benefits provided under FOCAC, Kairuki urged African leaders to be more strategic and change the one country mindset to one where Africa is seen as a collective.

By thinking and acting as a continental block, Africa could make cross- continental projects like railway connectivity throughout the region a reality. “It [connectivity] will boost intra-trade, promote exports and eventually create wealth and prosperity in Africa,” Kairuki added. Newai Gebre-ab, Chief Economic Advisor to the Ethiopian Prime Minister, echoed this view. “Our economies [if separated] are small and consequently the absorption capacity in terms of loans and investments is limited,” he said.

In addition, Gebre-ab believes the singular lack of prioritization in current Africa- China cooperation should be changed to better use FOCAC to unlock the continent’s latent economic potential. “There are thousands of things that we aspire to accomplish, but resources are always scarce. So it is critical that we identify a few priority areas that will make a difference to the lives of our people and execute them systematically and effectively,” he said.