Tag: china

By Emmanuel Ikechukwu Umeonyirioha

In recent times, China has successfully transformed its struggling economy into the second-largest economy globally. This was remarkably achieved through properly executing well-planned economic goals, and it serves as a beacon of hope for Nigeria and other developing countries willing to do what it takes to develop and grow their economies. China’s economic success story provides valuable lessons as we strive for economic development and growth.

The truth about economic development is that it must be well-planned and executed. China’s economic success resulted from a well-planned and consistently executed economic strategy, an effort made by both previous and current presidents of the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese Reform and Opening-Up Policy, launched in 1978, focused on modernising agriculture, industry, science, technology, and defence.

Most African countries are often focused on short-term goals. They must invest in long-term plans, prioritising key sectors like agriculture, manufacturing, and technology. Meanwhile, policy consistency is important for sustained economic development and growth regardless of change in power.

One major step the Chinese government took was to invest heavily in infrastructure, such as building roads, railways, ports, and energy facilities around its cities and rural areas. China has become the country with the most high-speed rail network globally, connecting cities and rural areas, and facilitating trade and mobility.

In Africa, poor infrastructure remains a significant challenge as Africans need more knowledge, funding, and know-how to develop standard infrastructure that would promote economic development and growth. By prioritising investments in transportation, energy, and technology, African nations can create an environment conducive to economic growth and attract foreign investment that would benefit them in the long run rather than the type of investments that weaken their economy and have no development impact on their human resources. The African Union’s Agenda 2063 emphasises infrastructure investment and growth. However, implementation must be accelerated.

China prioritised education, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The Chinese government invested in local and foreign universities and vocational training programmes worldwide, creating a skilled workforce that powered its industrial revolution. Africa’s growing youth population is a significant asset to its economic growth. However, many young people lack access to quality education and skills training. African governments must expand STEM education and promote vocational training tailored to serve local economic needs, as this would prepare the workforce for modern industries and technology-driven economies.

China’s transition from a low-cost goods producer to a global manufacturing powerhouse boosted its economic growth and development. China attracted foreign investors and boosted exports by creating special economic zones (SEZs) with tax incentives and infrastructure support. African countries must prioritise trade by establishing SEZs and focus on value-added production, such as processing raw materials locally. This can reduce dependency on imports and increase exports. They can also leverage natural resources and low labour costs to build competitive manufacturing industries.

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The Chinese government established and implemented effective policies that maintained stability in its government, ensuring that corruption and inefficiency did not derail its efforts toward economic growth and development. The leaders emphasised and practised accountability and results-driven governance. Every member of the government remained accountable for their responsibilities.

Africa must practice transparent and accountable governance, which is essential for sustainable development. African countries should empower citizens to demand and ensure transparent and accountable governance. Strengthening institutions to combat corruption in every government sector is a collective responsibility. Only in this way can we ensure efficient public services and build trust between governments and citizens, empowering us all to contribute to our nation’s growth.

China embraced digital infrastructure as a tool for progress. Innovations in digital platforms, e-commerce, and telecommunications have driven growth in sectors like retail and finance, and companies like Alibaba and Huawei have become global leaders. African nations should invest in digital technology to support the growing tech ecosystem that drives economic growth. With the rise in smart gadgets and internet penetration, Africa is well-positioned to lead in areas like mobile banking and e-commerce, which can boost economic inclusion.

The Chinese government successfully lifted over 800 million people from poverty in its rural areas by focusing on rural development, such as investing in rural industries, healthcare, and education. This reduced income inequality and improved living standards. Rural areas often need to catch up with urban centres regarding development. By investing in agriculture, healthcare, and education in rural regions, African governments can address poverty in their states and create opportunities for millions living in these areas, increasing the economy’s growth.

China became a major player in the international market by actively seeking trade partnerships globally. Initiatives like FOCAC, BRICS, and BRI, also known as One Belt, One Road (OBOR) further expanded its trade networks across Asia, Europe, the Arab world, and Africa.

Africa should diversify its trade relationships, moving beyond reliance on traditional partners like Europe and the US. Strengthening ties with emerging economies, including China and India, while expanding intra-African trade through AfCFTA can drive economic resilience.

The Chinese government did not merely copy the strategies of developed countries ─ it adapted them to fit into its unique context in the best way possible to promote growth. Solutions were tailored to meet local needs, from technology development to poverty alleviation. Leadership across Africa must focus on solutions that address their specific needs and challenges, like adapting renewable energy for rural electrification or using mobile technology to improve healthcare access.

China relied on domestic savings and investments to fund much of its growth, reducing dependence on foreign aid. Local industries were encouraged to reinvest profits into the economy. While foreign aid and investment are important, African nations must prioritise mobilising domestic resources. Strengthening tax systems, encouraging local investment, and reducing capital flight can generate the funds needed for development.

Many proven facts would help Africa accelerate its economic growth. China’s economic growth offers a blueprint for Africa to boost its economy. However, it is not about copying China’s model ─ Africa must adapt these lessons to its unique circumstances. With strong governance, a strategic economic plan, and a focus on education, infrastructure, security and innovation, African governments can transform African potential into lasting prosperity that benefits all. The journey is challenging. However, with disciplined determination and vision, Africa can write its own economic success story.

 •Dr Umeonyirioha is an expert in Sino-Africa relations and the first Igbo language lecturer at the University of Oxford.

• By Charles Onunaiju

The outgoing year of 2024 has been phenomenally significant in relations and cooperation between Africa and China and this is not because it has been less significant in the past, but because in a particular tense period in the world, it stayed stable and entered a new era of high quality engagement and “elevated to an all-weather community with a shared future”.

President Xi Jinping pointed to its historic trajectories when he noted that “the friendship between China and Africa transcends time and space, surmounts mountains and oceans and passes down through generations’.

While scholars of international relations and world politics makes claim to the tiresome theory that nations proceed from the cold calculus of strict national interest in interactions with others, giving scope to zero sum game in which one must loose for another to gain, China – Africa cooperation has significantly up-ended the audacity of such assumptions, giving concrete expression that international cooperation and partnerships have consequences for win-win outcomes and mutual benefits.

The outgoing year 2024 witnessed escalation of tensions in many parts of the world. The Russia/Ukraine conflict reached a dangerous level amidst nuclear threats with obvious ramifications for the rest of the world. The Israeli’s war in Gaza also threatened to spiral out of control and engulf the whole region with Iran dragged into the mix and the U.S presidential election appeared more like a civil war than a political contest with a leading presidential candidate barely escaping two assassination attempts.

Despite that Donald Trump won convincingly and decisively, the American “civil war” is far from over. Major European countries – Germany, France, and Netherlands witness political upsets with ruling parties shaken to their roots. The European Union’s bureaucracy, having betted on the war-enabling U.S Joe Biden presidency and its surrogate,  Kamala Harris, look hopelessly hollowed out as Trump looks forward to cut a deal with Russia leader, Vladimir Putin to end Europe’s most fratricidal war since the 1940’s.

Amidst the turbulence, Africa and China strengthened engagement which culminated to the summit of the heads of state and government of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) which held in Beijing in September. More than 50 Heads of States and government, including the Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu showed up in Beijing, with the exception of the tiny Estwani, formerly Swaziland still struggling to come to terms with the African consensus that there is only one China in the world (People’s Republic of China) whose government in Beijing is the sole and legitimate representative of all the Chinese people including their 22 million compatriots in the Taiwan Island.

The summit as widely expected lived up to expectations. President Tinubu attending for the first time said that “the African spirit for FOCAC is based upon mutual respect and partnership that promote development, happiness, peace and stability”, and also added that “we are in this journey together”. As it is usual with the tradition of the FOCAC process, the summit delivered a compelling practical outcome, setting the stage for follow-up engagements.

Before outlining the 10 partnership action plans for the two sides, President Xi Jinping dropped the iconic words on marble that “China and Africa account for one-third of the world population. Without our modernization, there will be no global modernization”, describing modernization as “an inalienable right of all countries”. The 10 action plans to be implemented in the next  three years covered areas of mutual learning among civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people and cultural exchanges, green development and common security. All these areas of cooperation were products of vigorous and extensive consultations resulting in consensus on the roadmap for implementations.

The 2025 would be a pivotal year for the implementation of the outcomes of the summit and so far activities have demonstrated considerable commitments by relevant parties to dutifully carry out their responsibilities. The Nigeria government whose leader President Tinubu participated both at the summit and also paid his first state visit to China on the invitation of President XI Jinping established a special directorate and appointed Director-General for Nigeria-China strategic partnership who “will lead day-to-day operation, engage continuously with the Chinese counterparts and ensure that all deliverables are met and synchronized with national development goals”.

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This is the first time in Nigeria’s international relations that a special directorate is created to oversee the implementation of the outcomes of the country’s bilateral engagement and specific multilateral fora. On the other hand, the Chinese Ambassador Yu Dunhai, who arrived at his post in Abuja just barely a month before the summit in Beijing expressed his total commitment not only to ensure implementations of the outcomes but also  to its translation into concrete benefits for the two sides.

Given that the stage is set for China and Africa to walk the talk, the year 2025 will be a significant turning point for a cooperation that has traditionally aimed to scale new heights and gains new impetus.

To infuse the African Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) with the type of vitality that it deserves, foreign direct investment flows for which China is well known for, is vastly needed. On average, China invest about $340 million across the world on daily basis  and a good slice of it will significantly impact Africa’s foreign investment drive.

Against the background of the mounting rhetoric of the U.S president-elect Donald Trump who is ideologically addicted to trade tariff hikes, notwithstanding its economic backlash, Chinese enterprises will likely hedge their bets to a more welcoming and a less politically volatile economic landscape that Africa can offer.

It means, African countries should take advantage of the traditional political goodwill that exist with Beijing and create the enabling economic conditions with significant focus on cutting red tape and offering concessional tax incentives for prospective Chinese enterprises. With the right policy mix that combines with the demographic advantage and potentials for green development, African active industrial and capacity production cooperation with China can help the region inherit the mantle of the “workshop of the world”, and inject the world economy with a fresh dynamism.

Europe and America are currently engrossed in the disruptions of global industrial value chain and obsessed with erecting trade barriers in an unending shadow fight to contain and constrain China, which has an obvious implication to distract and distort Africa’s growth trajectory for which China is making outstanding contributions.

The prospects of the year 2025 for China and Africa to raise the bar to new levels of their cooperation and engagement under the Belt and Road Initiative for which Africa is the region with the largest number of partnership countries is obviously an important frontier to be further explored. The milestone already reached in Belt and Road constructions which have provided enormous infrastructure connectivity projects spanning railways, highways, seaports, airports, and industrial parks in Africa naturally speak to the new phase of investment and trade cooperation for which the infrastructure projects are and could be major enablers.

Without vigorous economic and social activities, infrastructure projects will translate to dead capital and overtime become a liability. And with the Belt and Road Initiative now taking into account of small but, people-centred and impactful projects, Africa policy makers desirous of dealing deadly blows to poverty in the region can engage policy instruments that leverage the cooperation with China in the new stage of the Belt and Road cooperation.

China key global initiatives on development, security and dialogue among civilizations are open and are viable domains for international partnership and cooperation and year 2025 provides a vital opportunity for African countries to give policy context to these initiatives and instrumentalise them to address specific challenges. The coming of the year 2025 will not hand out prospects and benefits as Santa Claus or Father Christmas. Rather, every hazard that must be overcome or avoided and the benefits and progress the New Year will be the outcome of a deliberate commitment and steadfast struggle and this is especially for China-Africa cooperation.

•Onunaiju is director of Centre for China Studies, Abuja.