Resurgent Africa, Rising India: A New Era of South-South Cooperation

The 19th CII India-Africa Business Conclave, held between August 20-22 in New Delhi, marked a significant milestone in the evolving partnership between a resurgent Africa and a rising India. Organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs and the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, the event highlighted the growing momentum in South-South Cooperation. The focus areas included clean technology, climate-resilient agriculture, maritime security, connectivity, and the green economy.

A Transformative Partnership: India and Africa’s Mutual Growth

In his keynote address at the inaugural session, Vice President of India Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar emphasized the transformative potential of the India-Africa growth partnership. He stated that this partnership is contributing to global rebalancing, which in turn fosters greater global peace and harmony. Shri Dhankhar reiterated India’s commitment to Africa, highlighting that Africa has always been a top priority for India. The bilateral partnership is designed to be mutually beneficial, reflecting India’s true spirit of being a ‘Vishwabandhu’ (friend of the world).

Referring to Africa’s rich natural resources and demographic advantage, Shri Dhankhar noted that the region is emerging as a highly attractive destination for investments and partnerships. He assured that India will remain committed to partnering with Africa in its quest for value addition in its industrial sectors through innovative solutions. He also pointed out India’s progress in digital infrastructure, particularly in the delivery of public services, and expressed confidence that India’s experience and expertise in this area would be of great relevance to Africa.

Strengthening Economic Ties

Addressing the Conclave, Shri Piyush Goyal, Minister of Commerce and Industry, India, outlined a clear vision for an outcome-based India-Africa partnership. He emphasized the importance of an actionable agenda with achievable goals set across short, medium and long-term plans that lead to tangible outcomes. Shri Goyal proposed six key steps for a deeper and more result-oriented partnership.

He called for doubling India-Africa bilateral trade with the goal of scaling the USD 200 billion mark by 2030. He urged the Least Developed Countries (LDCs) of Africa to better utilise the Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme offered by India, noting that greater participation of African LDCs in bilateral trade would result in more equitable trade and facilitate wider participation of African economies.

Shri Goyal also highlighted India’s advancements in digital public infrastructure and advocated for leveraging this expertise to support Africa’s digital transformation, particularly in fintech and healthcare. He identified critical minerals, entertainment, and technology-led agricultural cooperation as areas ripe for deeper partnerships, and underscored the significance of the MSME sector for both regions. He called for deeper collaborations and emphasized the potential for Indian companies to help seed startup ecosystems in various African countries.

Mr. Sunil Barthwal, Commerce Secretary, Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Government of India, added that the India-Africa partnership must focus on the four key areas of automobiles, agriculture and agro-processing, pharmaceuticals, and transport and logistics. He mentioned that Indian agriculture and agro-tech companies could play an instrumental role in expanding Africa’s food production capacity through various measures such as sharing seed technology and setting up incubation centres.

Mr. Dammu Ravi, Secretary, Economic Relations, Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, urged Indian companies and investors to establish deep footprints in Africa’s manufacturing zones. He emphasized the importance of examining and addressing supply chain bottlenecks. He also stated that Indian companies should consider expanding Special Economic Zones in Africa.

Voices from Africa: Mutual Growth and Collaboration

Several African dignitaries shared their perspectives on the India-Africa partnership during the Conclave. Mr. Prosper Bazombanza, Vice President of Burundi, praised the collaboration in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, science and technology, ICT, and renewable energy, which has significantly improved Africa’s participation in global value chains. He also welcomed Indian investments in Burundi.

Mr. Muhammad B.S. Jallow, Vice President of The Gambia, highlighted the potential for joint ventures in agriculture, healthcare, technology, and renewable energy. Similarly, Mr. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, Vice President of Liberia, acknowledged the trade agreement between India and Liberia, which has boosted bilateral trade to USD 325 million. He sought Indian assistance in skills and technological advancements to enhance local production in Liberia, particularly in agriculture.

Mr. Marie Cyril Eddy Boissezon, Hon’ble Vice President, Republic of Mauritius, underscored the “time-tested relationship” between India and Mauritius. He added that the trade agreement signed between the two countries on April 1, 2021, has helped augment bilateral trade and investments. He noted that Mauritius is the first country in Africa to have adopted UPI for financial transactions.

Gen (Retd.) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, Hon’ble Vice-President, Republic of Zimbabwe, also addressed the Conclave, stating that the implementation of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) and the growing African regional economy are creating business opportunities for Indian companies. He mentioned that Zimbabwe seeks investments from Indian industry in areas like manufacturing, agriculture and agro-processing, tourism development, infotech, among others.

CII’s Commitment: Building Deeper Collaborations

Mr. Sanjiv Puri, President of CII and Chairman & Managing Director of ITC Ltd., proposed deeper India-Africa collaboration in agro-processing, healthcare, infrastructure, and education, while leveraging the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) to enhance the partnership. He saw a greater role for Indian industry in establishing regional production networks in Africa and called for wider engagements between Indian and African MSMEs.

Mr. Noel Tata, Chairman of the CII Africa Committee and Chairman of Tata International Ltd., emphasized CII’s focus on fostering partnerships between SMEs from both regions and bridging gaps in banking and finance sectors through solutions like rupee trade.

Mr. Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General of CII, highlighted the overwhelming participation from both India and Africa at the Conclave, with over 1,800 delegates in attendance. He noted that CII’s Centres of Excellence are set to play a greater role in Africa and mentioned the expansion of CII’s office in Eastern and Northern Africa, underscoring CII’s deep commitment to expanding cooperation with Africa.

Conclusion: A Promising Future for India-Africa Relations

The 19th CII India Africa Business Conclave concluded with a strong sense of optimism and commitment towards a more robust and comprehensive India-Africa partnership. With over 900 business-to-business meetings arranged, the Conclave laid a solid foundation for future collaborations, aiming for mutual growth and shared prosperity in the years to come.