Benefitting together: UN industrial development and Africa-China ties

As the 2024 Beijing summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) draws to a close, two key outcome documents—the "Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era" and the "FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027)"—have set the stage for a new phase in China-Africa cooperation. These documents outline ambitious plans for trade, industrialization, sustainable development and more. In an interview with CGTN host Enoch Wong, Dr Stephen Kargbo, United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) representative to China, shared his insights on how these goals can be realized.

Having been present at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, where he listened to President Xi Jinping's speech in person, Kargbo reflects on the significance of the address for Africa-China relations. He highlights the importance of trade as a driver of industrialization in Africa, noting that trade between China and Africa has grown significantly, reaching over $280 billion. Kargbo discusses UNIDO's vision for helping African countries reduce this imbalance by enhancing market access for value-added products, rather than simply exporting raw materials. He stresses the mutual benefits of stronger trade ties, which, in turn, can foster industrial growth across the continent.

As the conversation shifted to industrial policy, Kargbo drew lessons from China's rapid transformation since the reform and opening-up in 1978 and UNIDO's involvement in the policy process that ultimately led to the creation of the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone. He spoke about the importance of coordinated policy-making, emphasizing that industrial policy should not function in isolation but should work in tandem with other sectors such as energy, education, and infrastructure. Kargbo advocates for African countries to adopt a similar approach, ensuring that policies are both well-coordinated and continuous. He warned against the dangers of frequent policy changes, which can disrupt long-term development, and instead called for steady, incremental progress.

A key highlight of the interview was Kargbo's discussion on the newly launched China-Africa UNIDO Center of Excellence, starting in Ethiopia. This initiative, a collaboration between UNIDO, the Chinese government, and various African partners, aims to promote technology-driven solutions in the agriculture, energy, and industrial sectors. Kargbo underscored that this center is just the beginning, with plans to expand similar centers across the continent to foster inclusive and sustainable development. The initiative is a testament to the deepening partnership between China and Africa, focused on co-creating solutions that benefit all parties involved.