African heads of state have started arriving in Beijing for the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit, which begins Wednesday.
The ninth FOCAC summit aims to outline the evolving strategic partnership between China and Africa in the post-COVID-19 era. The summit comes amid rising geopolitical tensions, with Beijing seeking to bolster its position relative to other world powers. Key topics on the agenda include climate and energy issues, as well as digital and technology cooperation aimed at bridging Africa’s digital divide.
FOCAC has previously resulted in significant financial commitments for African infrastructure, agriculture, and manufacturing projects. However, experts caution that African nations should leverage the summit to secure cooperation that is both sustainable and mutually beneficial.
China has been increasing its efforts to strengthen ties with the Global South, viewing these relationships not only as economic opportunities but also as critical to its broader geopolitical objectives. However, analysts note that investments do not always align with the recipient countries’ needs and are often linked to high debt burdens.
Experts suggest that African countries should reconsider the future direction of their partnership with China. If managed correctly, FOCAC could usher in a new era of sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation.
The summit will run from Sept. 4-6.
