In a historic and unprecedented move, Chinese President Xi Jinping announced a sweeping aid package for Africa, valued at $50.7 billion (approximately R904 billion), during the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing. The announcement was made on Thursday as Xi met with over 50 African leaders, including South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, to strengthen ties between China and the African continent.

Xi Jinping emphasized that the next three years would be crucial for deepening China-Africa cooperation. “China will work with Africa to implement ten strategic partnership actions to advance modernization and foster a closer China-Africa community,” Xi stated at the Forum’s opening ceremony at the Great Hall of the People. The Chinese leader underscored that China and Africa together represent one-third of the world’s population, and global modernization is not possible without China-Africa modernization.

Key Initiatives to Deepen China-Africa Cooperation

The ten partnership areas announced by Xi include a variety of cooperative measures, such as establishing a governance experience-sharing platform, creating a China-Africa knowledge network for development, and setting up 25 centers dedicated to China-Africa studies. The aid package also highlights China’s commitment to open its market wider to Africa, granting zero-tariff treatment to 100% of tariff lines for nations maintaining diplomatic relations with China.

A major focus will be fostering industrial cooperation, promoting the Pilot Zone for In-depth China-Africa Economic and Trade Cooperation, and launching an African SMEs empowerment program. Additionally, Xi pledged that China would undertake 30 infrastructure connectivity projects across Africa, and support high-quality Belt and Road cooperation, aiming to create a robust China-Africa network characterized by seamless land-sea links and coordinated development.

Promoting Economic and Regional Integration

China has also committed to facilitating the development of the African Continental Free Trade Area and enhancing logistics and financial cooperation to support trans-regional growth within Africa. These initiatives are designed to boost regional integration and accelerate economic development across the continent.

Xi further announced China’s support for Africa in hosting major global sporting events, including the 2026 Youth Olympic Games and the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations. In addition, China plans to build a China-Africa hospitals alliance, establish joint medical centers, and send 2,000 medical personnel to Africa. Twenty programs dedicated to building health facilities and treating malaria will also be launched to strengthen Africa’s public health capacity.

Supporting Agriculture, Education, and Youth Empowerment

On the agricultural front, Xi announced that China would provide RMB1 billion yuan in emergency food assistance, deploy a battalion of 500 agricultural experts, and establish a China-Africa agricultural science and technology innovation alliance. To promote vocational education, China has promised 60,000 training opportunities, focusing on empowering women and youth across Africa.

These bold commitments underscore China’s determination to enhance its strategic partnership with Africa, reinforcing ties that are vital for both regions’ future growth.

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