By Busayo Onijala
China’s relationship with Africa is entering a new phase driven by sustainability, innovation, mutual respect, and long-term strategic cooperation, says the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA).
NIIA Director-General, Prof. Eghosa Osaghae, said the partnership was shifting from basic infrastructure financing to a broader model centred on shared prosperity and green transformation.
He described this as a modern form of South–South cooperation rooted in mutual benefit, equality, and long-term development objectives rather than old-style donor dependency.
Speaking after a recent high-level dialogue in Lagos, Osaghae said China now views Africa as an active partner in shaping global economic trends.
He said this partnership increasingly emphasises knowledge transfer, digital infrastructure, and industrial development rather than merely funding roads or ports.
According to him, the Belt and Road Initiative and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation remain the principal drivers of this evolving relationship.
“These frameworks reflect China’s commitment to growth through cooperation rather than patronage,” Osaghae said.
He stressed that China supports African states to participate meaningfully in global supply chains and international political platforms.
“This model rejects historical power imbalances and focuses on shared opportunities, particularly through industrial capacity, skills development, and technology adoption,” he said.
He noted that China’s investments have helped African countries build energy networks, railway corridors, and trade platforms that now support regional commerce.
By backing African-led development strategies, he said, China was strengthening governance choice and enabling states to pursue nationally defined priorities.
Osaghae also said Beijing’s push for reforms in global institutions aligns with Africa’s long-standing demand for fairer representation.
“This approach recognises Africa as a key voice in emerging global power structures,” he added.
He pointed to increasing African participation in Chinese economic and political platforms, allowing more influence in global rule-making.
Osaghae said a “parallel economic ecosystem” was now emerging, connecting Africa and China across manufacturing, fintech, logistics, aviation, and digital services.
The system encourages local value addition, reducing Africa’s dependence on raw commodity exports and promoting industrial clusters.
He said African small and medium enterprises are also benefiting from Chinese market access, e-commerce platforms, and training programmes.
According to him, cooperation in currency use, especially the Yuan, is widening African financial options beyond traditional Western systems.
“Financial diversification supports economic resilience and shields developing economies from external shocks,” he said.
Beyond economics, Osaghae highlighted China’s increasing role in African peacekeeping, humanitarian support, and health diplomacy.
He referenced medical cooperation during COVID-19, plus continued collaboration in vaccine production and public health training.
Green development is now central, he said, aligning with global climate frameworks and Africa’s Agenda 2063 environmental ambitions.
“This partnership now encourages renewable energy, clean mining, biodiversity protection, and low-carbon industrial zones,” he noted.
He said China’s environmental commitment includes corporate social responsibility, particularly in extractive industries and infrastructure projects.
Similarly, Dr Rita Agu, Senior Research Fellow at the NIIA, said this cooperation sits where industrial growth meets environmental duty.
She defined green development as growth that protects future generations and balances enterprise with ecological care.
According to Agu, China’s Green Silk Road aims to support countries pursuing clean energy and climate-smart agriculture.
She urged more green finance investments, technology partnerships, and private-sector involvement in renewable power projects across Africa.
Joint research hubs, she said, are needed to strengthen Africa’s climate-adaptation science and innovation capacity.
Agu identified renewable energy, digitised farming, waste-to-energy systems, and green industrial parks as priority sectors for both partners.
According to her, Africa is already witnessing new jobs, improved climate resilience, and access to low-carbon technologies.
She pointed to rising revenue flows from sustainable sectors such as solar manufacturing and green logistics.
“Green development is now a core pillar of China–Africa ties,” she emphasised.
Agu said this momentum would help Africa pursue a balanced transition that protects the planet while expanding prosperity.(NAN) (www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
