Creating New Paradigm for China-Africa Cooperation

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has emerged as a transformative force in Africa's infrastructure landscape, with 52 African countries and the African Union (AU) now participating in this global cooperation framework.

"China has become our most strategic partner in infrastructure development," said South African Lerato D. Mataboge, the new AU Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy. In an interview with Science and Technology Daily, she elaborated on how the principles of extensive consultation, joint contribution and shared benefits are shaping Africa's infrastructure revolution, highlighting China's technology transfer initiatives and sustainable development partnerships across the continent.

Q: In light of BRI enhancing infrastructure interconnectivity among participating African countries, will the AU further strengthen cooperation with China in building and upgrading the continent's infrastructure?

A: Certainly, I think the infrastructure deficit that we have makes it important that we maintain and strengthen partnerships all over the world. So certainly the partnership with China will be critical. Just as we'll be strengthening partnerships with other parts of the world. But we do recognize that China has played quite an important role in the infrastructure delivery on the continent. China will remain strategic to us, but we need to keep reviewing our relationship to see that in the process of delivering this infrastructure agenda. Certainly, we'll maintain that relationship with China.

Q: China is a world leader in renewable energy development, like solar and wind power generation, photovoltaic panel production, and turbine production. What are your views on China's role in improving African countries' electric power supply through international cooperation?

A: China has an important role to play in harnessing Africa's potential. The world can benefit from the technology research and development that China has invested in. We would welcome that partnership. But as with every partnership, we are always looking for win-win cooperation. And what is encouraging is that those are the principles that China has advanced. We would be happy to collaborate with our Chinese friends in that regard.

Q: The principle of the BRI is extensive consultation, joint contribution, and shared benefits. That means before China builds projects, it consults, discusses and negotiates with others. Do you think this is beneficial?

A: Absolutely. Those principles are the principles that resonate with us. Those are the principles we want to advance as Africans. China is saying that as a partner, it is looking for a win-win solution. So as we move forward and strengthen the partnership, we're quite pleased with maintaining that as a centerpiece of China's partnership with Africa.

Q: The G20 Summit 2025 will be held in South Africa in November. What does this mean to the African continent and what opportunities will it bring to the continent?

A: The G20 platform is quite an important platform and we are looking to put Africa's agenda at the center of South Africa's presidency. And you can imagine that the infrastructure agenda and energy agenda is a big one for Africa, based on the deficit that we have. We are looking to use the appropriate forums at the summit to engage in some of the energy and infrastructure areas of the continent and mobilize partners to step up and join hands with us to bridge the deficit. Therefore, we will be having some platforms that deal with presenting the infrastructure and energy projects to the G20 membership for further partnerships.

The author is a correspondent for S&T Daily based in South Africa.

Source: Science and Technology Daily