New Delhi, Feb 26 (UNI) India’s engagement with Africa has been through capacity-building, skill development, and technology transfer, “unlike extractive models of engagement”, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said today, in an apparent reference to China’s significant presence in extractive industries in Africa.
Addressing the Japan-India-Africa Business Forum, the EAM said that India’s approach to Africa has always been guided by a deep-rooted commitment to building long-term, mutually-beneficial partnerships.
“Unlike extractive models of engagement, India believes in capacity-building, skill development, and technology transfer, ensuring that African countries not only benefit from investments but also develop self-sustaining growth ecosystems.”
The EAM’s oblique reference was to Chinese firms that over the past few decades are reported to have expanded their presence in Africa’s extractive industries such as mining, petroleum, and natural gas -- as part of "minerals-for-infrastructure" agreements, where Chinese companies provide infrastructure development in exchange for access to minerals. However, this kind of engagement has not benefitted the African partners, with many countries heavily indebted to China.
The EAM listed out India’s capacity building initiatives, like the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, the Pan-African e-Network Project, and High-Impact Community Development Projects (HICDPs) that have helped to strengthen local capacities across education, health, and digital infrastructure.
He listed the e-VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti network for tele-education and tele-medicine.
“India believes that investments in human capital would be a truly collaborative and mutually beneficial partnership with Africa,” he added.
EAM said that India is Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 100 billion and growing steadily. India has also made a significant commitment to Africa’s connectivity and infrastructure development, with over USD 12 billion in concessional credit and more than 200 completed projects spread across the continent in areas such as railways, power generation, agriculture, and water supply.
“India’s development projects in various sectors such as drinking water schemes to irrigation, rural solar electrification, power plants, transmission lines, cement, sugar and textile factories, technology parks, railway infrastructure, etc. have generated local employment and in fact changed life in Africa,” he said.
“India’s deep and longstanding engagement with Africa can make it a natural bridge, whether geographically or in the industrial value chain. With India set for continued rapid economic growth, it serves as an ideal hub for Japanese companies seeking to expand into Africa and the Middle East.
“Japanese investments, India’s solid industrial base and digital capacities and African’s talent and consumption can come together to create beneficial outcomes for all stakeholders. India and Japan can also collaborate to strengthen resilient supply chains for African countries, particularly in critical and emerging sectors,” he added.
“The growth and prosperity of Africa will not only benefit its people but also contribute to broader global stability and economic progress. India and Japan, with their complementary strengths, are well-positioned to support Africa’s development in a sustainable and inclusive manner,” he added.
Earlier in his address, the EAM mentioned how India has consistently championed the cause of the Global South, whether through the Voice of the Global South Summits and India’s G20 Presidency—where the African Union’s full membership in the G20 was successfully ensured in 2023.
UNI RN