Why China's Global Governance Initiative matters for Africa

For the Global South, especially Africa, the Global Governance Initiative speaks to long-marginalized nations seeking an international order that reflects today's realities.

The GGI is anchored in five principles: sovereign equality, the international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach and real action.

For Africa, these principles set out a framework that could address historical inequalities and help to rebalance global power towards a more inclusive and equitable international order.

Charles Onunaiju, Director of the Center for China Studies in Nigeria, shares the significance of the GGI to Africa with China Africa Talk.

Anchored in five principles

According to Onunaiju, the five core principles of the GGI resonate deeply with African nations.

"The most important thing is that it reflects the understanding of the great majority of the world that the mechanisms of international governance need to be democratized and more open," he said. "Africa has been on the receiving end of too much talk and too little action. For us, practical outcomes are key".

People at the center of global governance

Onunaiju emphasizes that the GGI places ordinary people at the heart of international decision-making.

"International relations have often been seen as games nations play, a closed system of elites," he noted. "The GGI tells us it should no longer be the act of specialists but a framework for interaction of peoples, aimed at delivering tangible results for their well-being".

Building capacity: Africa's challenge and opportunity

While praising the GGI's vision, Onunaiju cautions that Africa must strengthen its own foundations.

"African nations must build capacity such as strong institutions and resilient economies empowered people. China's example shows this can be done".

He adds the GGI can provide a platform for addressing Africa's pressing issues, from infrastructure investment to debt sustainability.

"Multilateralism should not just be roundtables for the fun of it. It should deliver results," he stresses. "Mechanisms like Nigeria-China intergovernmental consultations show how such frameworks can work. The GGI could elevate these models globally".

Complementing other global initiatives

The Nigerian scholar also highlights the GGI's synergy with other Chinese proposals.

"The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative all identify major challenges of our time. The GGI ties them together within a governance framework that is multilateral, people-centered, and anchored in the rule of law," he explained. "This makes them more effective and problem-solving rather than geopolitical".