NIAS Africa Studies

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CWA # 1542, 27 November 2024
NIAS Africa Studies
China-Africa: The Ninth FOCAC Summit

  Femy Francis

On 6 September, the ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concluded with 53 African countries' heads of state and the African Union’s chairperson attending the summit. The theme for the three-day forum was “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” By the summit's last day, several AU countries elevated their bilateral relations with China to an “all-weather partnership” and “comprehensive strategic partnership.” The delegation unanimously agreed to a Beijing Declaration, and China signed several economic agreements with the African countries. Chinese President Xi Jinping commemorated the summit by giving a keynote address where he said: “China and Africa's joint pursuit of modernization will set off a wave of modernization in the Global South, and open a new chapter in the drive for a 

community with a shared future for mankind.” The Chairperson of the AU Moussa Faki Mahamat appreciated China’s effort to modernise the Global South and noted that FOCAC has been an instrumental support for Africa. 

The summit’s output included economic support for critical African sectors and a Beijing Declaration outlining China-Africa’s prospects. The highlight was Xi Jinping pledging to support Africa with USD 51 billion. Additionally, USD 210 billion was pledged through credit lines, and Chinese firms will invest USD 70 billion. He also informed that China will provide Africa with USD 140 million in emergency food aid and initiate 30 infrastructure connectivity projects.  Xi Jinping assured that China would give 60,000 people from Africa training opportunities and provide training for 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 police officials. The Beijing Declaration issued that they want to build high-level China-Africa relations, Synergize BRI and the AU’s Goal of Agenda 2063, establish a framework for joint action for China-Africa development, joint action to maintain international peace, and further dialogue and cultural exchanges. 

Background to the FOCAC
It was founded in 2000 when both China and Africa first formalized their relationship. Currently, there are 53 African countries part of FOCAC. The summit is held every three years. It has all African countries as part of the forum except Eswatini, which has diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Over the years, FOCAC has evolved to provide more in areas of cooperation with African countries, and through FOCAC China has been increasing its investments in Africa while pushing for its other flagship project Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). 

China’s Africa interest
China is Africa’s largest trading partner, and over one-fourth of its raw materials are exported to China. Between 2000 and 2022, Africa was given USD 170.08 billion in loans. China has established an international naval base in Djibouti. China also believes its annual trade volume can reach USD 300 billion by 2035. China is also the main source of foreign direct investment and has built critical infrastructure and industrial parks that are paramount to providing employment opportunities. China also has the largest refineries in Africa for rare earth materials, giving them access to key resources that are largely untapped. 

Africa’s untapped potential and resources
Africa is the key supplier of 90 per cent of the world’s cobalt and platinum, it also supplies 75 per cent of the world’s coltan, used to make electronic parts. Africa also has the largest bloc in the UN General Assembly and the numerical power to swing any resolution's result. AU’s support helps with geopolitical alliances, and the sheer numerical force provides overwhelming support. 

What does it mean? 
First, mutual benefit. The world, looking at the summit, expressed concern regarding the Chinese debt trap and how this economic cooperation can be fatal for Africa. However, while many countries want to invest in Africa, they cannot do so at the level China does. Africa is largely unbreached and has a poor economy, Chinese investments have given African countries the much-needed infrastructure and agricultural support. For China, Africa is a quiescent that gives Beijing the space to explore and exploit what Africa offers. 

Second, China’s sustained efforts to reach out to Africa. The FOCAC summit and the utmost attention given to the African countries is not new to China. For the past 34 years, every Chinese Foreign Minister’s first pit stop has been in Africa. This action is not merely to show historical friendship but also to counter other countries that want to invest in Africa. Like China, other countries like the US, France, Japan, and even India are trying to woo Africa. 

Third, geopolitical alliance. Since China's hefty investment after the current FOCAC summit, Beijing has confirmed an ally in the international arena. Africa’s support gives China an upper hand, and the sheer number of African countries can affect the outcome of resolutions and disagreements in the international world order. The monetary funding to Africa now has sealed its support for China over other actors.  

Fourth, Africa’s dependency on China. The large investments made by China in Africa for critical sectors can lead to increased dependency on one country. This over a while can lead to China influencing the domestic and international politics of Africa. Africa needs to focus on dispersing its foreign investments not as an alternative to China, since no other country has the economic capacity to invest like China. But, to have multiple players in the region to have regulatory checks on China. 

About the author
Femy Francis is a Research Assistant at NIAS.

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