FOCAC Summit Sparks New Vision for Global South Development

Beijing is increasingly becoming an icon and center of global cooperation. This was evident at the recently concluded 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing. Heads of state and top delegates from Africa, home to the world’s largest number of developing nations, gathered in droves. They were greeted with reciprocity and respect by their counterparts from China, the world’s largest developing country.

Contrast this with the U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022. President Joe Biden held no one-on-one meetings with African leaders, raising questions about Washington’s approach. The limited interactions sparked debate over whether the U.S. views Africa as a monolithic bloc or recognizes the diversity of its individual countries. Biden held a multilateral meeting with six African leaders, which is merely part of a broader U.S. strategy to promote liberal internationalism, with the U.S. acting as hegemon.

In Beijing, Chinese President Xi Jinping on last Monday alone had bilateral meetings with leaders from South Africa, Guinea, Eritrea, Seychelles, Djibouti, Togo, Comoros, Mali and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. These meetings, and others that followed, were characterized by mutual respect, support for individual development paths, mutually beneficial cooperation and equal treatment.

This is one of the reasons why FOCAC has historically attracted more African leaders than many other global forums, including some of the world’s most prominent multilateral gatherings. The 2024 FOCAC Summit drew more than 50 African leaders, underscoring its incredible significance. The high level of attendance reflects the strong bond between China and Africa, their trust in each other, and their determination to counter challenges and grow together.

Xi echoed this in his keynote speech at the summit’s opening ceremony, emphasizing that modernization is an “inalienable right” of all countries. He described this modernization as just, equitable, open, and mutually beneficial. Xi added that it should be people-centered, eco-friendly, and embrace diversity and inclusiveness, all while being founded on peace and stability.

The Chinese president’s commitment to modernization of Africa was backed by 10 partnership actions. These include mutual learning among civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, connectivity, development cooperation, health, agriculture and livelihoods, people-to-people exchanges, green development and common security.

Xi pledged 360 billion yuan ($51 billion) in financial support over three years to help lay the foundation for Africa’s modernization, meaning the 1.4billion Chinese people will each pay 85 yuan annually to support their African brothers and sisters. The plan includes increasing exchanges of state governance experience, providing zero-tariff treatment for all products from 33 African countries — making China the first major developing country to take such a step— expanding market access for African agricultural products, supporting Africa’s industrialization efforts, and building 30 infrastructure connectivity projects.

Unlike the U.S., which pursues an interventionist foreign policy seeking world hegemony and often ties its aid to governance requirements (seen in Africa as meddlesome), China emphasizes noninterference and greater respect for cultural diversity. Beijing’s policy of collective development aims to support Africa’s growth on its own terms. This ensures that African countries can develop their own governance capabilities and explore modernization according to their own visions and national conditions.

Beijing’s military assistance aims to build the continent’s capacity to protect its peace and ensure that Africa’s economic rejuvenation isn’t hampered by regional instability. Nigerian President Bola Tinubu, after meeting with Xi, said the Beijing-Abuja comprehensive strategic partnership would result in “robust development, stability and security” in West Africa, describing how regional leaders saw China’s security engagement as a contribution to peace.

Xi also pledged to provide emergency food assistance, build about 6,670 hectares of standardized agriculture demonstration areas, deploy 500 agriculture experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. Through these initiatives, Xi reinforced his support not only for Africa’s deprived people but also for African farmers and the development of the continent’s agricultural sector.

Xi also hosted South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the two leaders announced an “all-round strategic cooperative partnership in the new era” between their countries. They also signed several agreements covering areas such as trade, market access and the application of China’s Beidou navigation satellite system.

South Africa’s key priorities include poverty reduction, job creation for millions and advancing artificial intelligence. Xi proposed deepening cooperation in several areas that align with these goals, such as the digital economy, AI and new energy. Beijing has also committed to sharing its experience in poverty alleviation and rural revitalization with Pretoria. These initiatives will bolster both the bilateral relationship and South Africa’s economy.

Xi’s pledge to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Africa’s pharmaceutical production, establish 20 digital demonstration projects, support poverty reduction efforts and create 1 million jobs will help ensure continental development is inclusive and widespread. This will allow China and Africa to “embrace together” the latest round of technological revolution and industrial transformation.

China’s stellar economic growth and desire to share the outcomes of its development have long inspired African countries. Shedding light on China-Africa’s more than six-decade-old relationship, Kenyan President William Ruto recently admired how the China-invested Global Trade Center in Nairobi had become a landmark of China-Africa cooperation, attracting many companies to invest and start businesses in the region.

Ruto proposed combining China’s renewable energy technologies with Africa’s abundant resources. This approach, coupled with Beijing’s expertise in green development, could significantly boost the continent’s sustainable growth, enhancing the region’s climate resilience. Xi’s announcement to launch 30 clean energy projects, establish 30 joint laboratories and launch a China-Africa peaceful nuclear technology forum sets the tone for a sustainable Africa and opens new avenues of cooperation.

China has been accused of extracting critical minerals from Africa. However, Beijing is estimated to account for just less than half of what Western countries control on the continent, and its presence is largely concentrated in just a few countries. Meanwhile, Gotion High Tech, a Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, plans to build a gigafactory in Morocco. The project aims to boost Africa’s electrification and decarbonization efforts. Morocco’s Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch, who represented his country at FOCAC, has expressed support for the initiative.

Beijing is a key African partner in narrowing the continent’s energy accessibility gap. Through its global leadership in solar panel manufacturing, China has become instrumental in reducing the costs of clean energy worldwide. Beijing’s triumphs in green development are evident in Africa, where Chinese companies are involved in several major renewable energy projects such as South Africa’s 100-megawatt Redstone Concentrated Solar Thermal Power Plant, Botswana’s first 100-megawatt solar plant and China’s Africa Solar Belt Program. These projects are delivering benefits to local communities.

During the summit, 30 African countries either established or elevated their strategic partnerships with China, solidifying the China-Africa partnership as a “main pillar” of South-South cooperation. The Beijing Declaration, adopted unanimously by China and 53 African countries, affirms China’s approach of equal treatment, respect for Africa’s political and economic choices, and noninterference while supporting the continent’s modernization. This will, as Xi said, “set off a wave of modernization in the Global South,” offering equitable, inclusive and just opportunities for the developing world.

Azhar Azam is a geopolitical analyst with a keen interest in the economy, climate change and regional conflicts.