China-Africa cooperation: Journey from partnership to prosperity

An aerial drone photo taken on May 9, 2025 shows MSC Türkiye, one of the world's largest container ships with a capacity of 24,346 TEU, docking at the Kribi Deep Seaport in Kribi, Cameroon. [Photo/Xinhua]

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Since its establishment in 2000, FOCAC has evolved into a vital channel for Chinese investment, innovation and sustained commitment to Africa's progress and prosperity.

As a model of South-South cooperation, FOCAC has brought together more than 2.8 billion people from China and Africa to envision and pursue a better future. It represents a shift toward self-reliant development, leveraging local human and capital resources to drive economic growth and social transformation.

According to international development agencies and local media reports, FOCAC has helped position Africa as a key destination for Chinese international investment. By the end of 2023, China's cumulative stock of investment in Africa had reached $42.1 billion, making it the continent's fourth-largest investor. In 2023, Chinese investment totaled $3.96 billion. These investments have reshaped Africa’s economic landscape through the development of industrial parks, special economic zones and manufacturing hubs — spurring job creation and adding value across a variety of sectors. Today, more than 3,500 Chinese enterprises operate in Africa, supporting local industries from technology to textiles.

Infrastructure development stands as a clear indicator of this partnership's impact. To date, more than 6,000 kilometers of highways, an additional 6,000 kilometers of railways and nearly 20 shipping ports have been built. Iconic projects such as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and the Lagos-Ibadan Railway symbolize tangible outcomes of this collaboration.

Access to affordable energy is an essential component of development. As such, China has supported the construction of over 80 large-scale power facilities across Africa, bringing electricity and opportunities to millions of people.

Trade is another cornerstone of the relationship. Since FOCAC's inception 25 years ago, two-way trade between China and Africa has surged from $10.6 billion in 2000 to $295.6 billion in 2024. China has remained Africa's largest trading partner for 16 consecutive years — a testament to the forum's institutional strength.

To further support African economies, China has gradually expanded zero-tariff treatment for least-developed countries from the region, opening its vast market to African products and helping generate crucial foreign exchange. Special "green lanes" have also been established to fast-track inspection and quarantine procedures for African agricultural exports, providing timely support to local farmers.

In addition, human capital development remains a key focus. Over the past five years, hundreds of African students have pursued postgraduate studies in China. Meanwhile, China has contributed to Africa's health sector through training programs and the provision of emergency health assistance in critical times.

After a quarter-century of collaboration, both sides are poised to accelerate development under the FOCAC framework. Chinese investment is expected to reach $50 billion by 2027, and China has now established strategic partnerships with 53 African countries. Future cooperation will prioritize green and sustainable development, food security, digital transformation and a shared global agenda to address trade, climate change and peacebuilding.

The FOCAC Beijing Summit held in September 2024 launched a new chapter in building a China-Africa community with a shared future, while the accompanying "Beijing Action Plan 2025-2027" outlined 10 partnership initiatives to guide the next phase of cooperation. Key areas include tariff exemptions for industrial collaboration, academic exchanges, infrastructure connectivity, agricultural development, health care improvement, security cooperation, scientific research and environmental protection.

These initiatives are already being implemented, setting the stage for deeper mutual cooperation.

After 25 years, FOCAC has become more than a cooperation mechanism — it is a blueprint for progress. It embodies a development concept rooted in mutual assistance, openness, global free trade, equitable partnership and civilizational diversity. It demonstrates that China-Africa cooperation is not merely situational, but a strategic and structural framework designed to advance shared progress — with FOCAC as its driving force.

Dr Sajjad Malik is an academic, journalist, columnist and researcher based in Pakistan.

Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors, not necessarily those of China.org.cn.