
China has been championing as a very active partner of development in Africa. For that, China has thus far gained much acceptance and even admiration by many African nations for its bold and practical engagement in Africa. Likewise, the Chinese also benefitted from their development partnership with Africa.
This initiative has therefore been a win-win situation for Africa and China. Africa is still drawing expectations and attention from the international community including from the world’s most powerful nations like the G20, G7 and other international governmental and non-governmental institutions like the United Nations, the World Bank and the European Commission etc. as the largest investment in our era of 21st century.
This is because Africa embraces a population of 1.2 billion in 54 diverse countries. This, of course, possesses huge market potential, relatively stable political conditions in many African countries, and abundant natural resources that can definitely play an important role in attracting foreign direct investment and expanded domestic consumption.
The African economy has experienced significant change and dynamic growth over time. This time around, Japan like China has shown much interest in African development endeavors. Japan pursues two major approaches to development programs in Africa namely, “quality growth (inclusiveness, sustainability, and resilience)” and “human security (capacity building focusing on each individual in Africa).” Africa has been an important region for Japan’s trade.
This time around, however, Japan is taking on China with more strategic investment; therefore, Japan may hold a key to sustainable development on the continent. The cornerstone of Japan’s development efforts on the continent is organized with a number of international partners including the United Nations Development Program, the World Bank and the African Union Commission.
Japan’s new approach vis-à-vis African development changed a shift from outright assistance to a more holistic partnership with Africa that involves working with the private sector on sustainable development and critical infrastructure.
“Japan wants African countries to view Tokyo as a partner rather than simply donor,” the Prime Minister of Japan Shizo Abi said.
Traditionally, Tokyo focused its efforts in Africa on soft power diplomacy mainly through the provision of development aid. That is changing now and for a number of reasons.
First, given its size and its domestic economic woes, Japan is finding it harder and harder to compete in terms of quantity funding with other players in the continent especially China.
Second, Tokyo has realized that its assistance should be more directly linked to its core foreign policy interest including promoting Free and Open Indo- Pacific (FOIP) vision in which Africa plays an important role. Despite Japan’s strong relationship with Africa especially with Algeria, Nigeria and South Africa among others, it is struggling to catch up with China’s recent spending spree.
Although Japan has been unable to narrow the gap in real financial terms with China it can provide a credible alternative. In addition to the promised developmental support and aid from China and Japan, the world’s most industrialized and powerful nations also promised much assistance to African development initiatives. For example, one of this year’s G7 Summit’s focuses was into a relevant G7 and Africa Partnership in order to aid the economic development in the continent.
The President of France noted the severity of inequality between developed countries and the African countries; he also looked at how this detrimental gap wages warfare to the growth and security of the continent.
However, an Africa Continental Free Trade Area Agreement was celebrated, and this trade is recorded to be the largest in the world as it includes 55 countries, accumulating 1.2 billion people and a GDP of $3 trillion. The trade area will lead to the expansion of trade that will benefit the continent. There will also be a single market for goods and services, which will enhance a diverse and sustainable export foundation for African economies.
Digital economy can help boost the economy. The Summit further looked into the potency of the digital economy, and how the G7 countries can form a mutually beneficial partnership through technology, capital, access to markets and skills, as this alliance will also help to realize Africa’s potential. It will also unleash the African spirit of enterprise and creativity.
A Digital Transformation Strategy for Africa is being formulated by the African Union Commission, with aims to produce a coordinated response to the digitization of Africa. This will lay a solid foundation for the development of infrastructure and institutions initiated by the fourth industrial revolution. French President Emmanuel Macron and G7 leaders on Sunday approved a package totaling $251 million in support of the African Development for Peacebuilding and State building.
G-20 meeting is held every year. The most industrialized nations the USA, Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Canada thoroughly discuss, during their regular meetings, a variety of issues not only of national interest but indeed of global concerns. Those decisions often are not very serious and the outcome of which can be extremely important not only to those conducting the meeting but also to the global community at large.
Very important issues such as global warming, climate change, the energy issue, the global financial crises, the environment, peace and stability, immigration and the refugee crises, war, conflict, and terrorism were among others that were given highest priority.
And possible solutions have often been forwarded as the way forward. But, when it comes to implementation much remains to be done. As the saying goes “when there is a will, there is away.”
It looks like that there is some hope this time around and there seems to be a willingness from China, Japan, and other powerful countries to partner with Africa on not simply aid donation but on sustainable developmental endeavors are undertaken in Africa.
The Ethiopian Herald September 5, 2019
BY YOHANNES GEBERESELSIE (PhD)