FOCAC at the Crossroads: A Call for Shared Vision ...

FOCAC at the Crossroads: A Call for Shared Vision and Renewed Commitment

Andom Abraha Kahsai-Contributor

I write not as a policymaker or official, but as a humble African writer—one among millions who carry both the pride and burden of our continent’s journey. I speak not with authority, but with affection—for Africa’s people, its promise, and its partnerships.

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation prepares for another important chapter as the Ministerial FOCAC forum approaches (mid-June 2025) in Hunan province—I feel compelled to share a modest call: a call for clarity, courage, and common purpose.

FOCAC stands as a powerful platform to reaffirm a shared commitment to mutual growth. Rooted in principles of solidarity, non-interference, and common development, it has made tremendous strides in deepening China-Africa ties.

But today, we need to go beyond celebration of what has been and work for renewed resolve in what must be. We must confront the elephant in the room: why FOCAC successes are not viewed as such by many Africans.

I humbly submit that both Africa and China need to learn lessons from the path walked so far, gain strength from that wisdom, and move on to even greater heights of shared prosperity.

Africa must step forward with clarity and confidence—asserting its development goals, its demographic strengths, and its vision for self-driven growth.

Africa must look at China, a long-standing friend and strategic partner, not as an external benefactor, but as a collaborator in a truly mutual journey.

This partnership has produced impressive outcomes: roads, ports, industrial zones, and energy grids. These investments have connected cities and countries, helped move goods, and stimulated regional growth.

But the future demands more—it requires capacity, innovation, and transformation.

One key area is finance. African countries must ensure that when they access development financing from China, systems are transparent, sustainable, and responsive to national priorities.

They should prioritize investments that enhance productivity and long-term returns.

Trade imbalances call for cooperative solutions. China has played its part by opening up tax-free imports from BRI countries.

Africa must play its part in crafting strategic and mutually beneficial value-addition policies at home—processing its raw materials, growing its industrial base, and exporting finished goods.

China, with its vast market and technological expertise, can play a vital role in supporting this shift through investments in agro-processing, manufacturing, and trade facilitation.

Equally vital is human capital. Africa’s young population is a reservoir of talent and potential. This generation must not be left behind.

African governments should invest more in education, vocational training, and innovation hubs that ride on China’s excellence. Exchange programs, scholarships, and collaborative research should move to the forefront of FOCAC priorities—building minds, not just infrastructure.

Technology presents both a challenge and an opportunity. African nations should call for deeper cooperation in digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, and innovation ecosystems.

China, a global leader in digital transformation, has a chance to support this growth—not by dominating local markets, but by fostering inclusive and empowering systems.

Environmental sustainability must be a shared value. Africa is already grappling with floods, droughts, and deforestation.

African governments must initiate projects that protect ecosystems, invest in renewables, and build climate resilience. China’s own green development experience offers valuable lessons, and FOCAC can become a model for South-South climate cooperation.

Institutionally, FOCAC must evolve. Both sides should commit to clearer frameworks for project monitoring, more inclusive stakeholder engagement, and alignment with continental initiatives like the African Continental Free Trade Area and Agenda 2063.

This will ensure that cooperation is not fragmented but cohesive, strategic, and forward-looking.

Finally, both China and Africa must recognize that the future of FOCAC depends on listening—deeply and consistently. It depends on moving from statements to strategy, from commitments to concrete impact.

This is a call not for confrontation, but for collaboration. Not for blame, but for boldness. Let African nations speak with one voice—demanding not just partnership, but partnership with purpose. Let China respond with openness, humility, and a renewed vision for common progress.

If both sides rise to this moment, FOCAC will not just survive the next decade—it will thrive as a beacon of cooperative development in a divided world.