The global South’s cooperation on trade has been significantly boosted by China’s international policy of win-win interest, directly benefiting African states.
Hence, the Afrikan Continental Union Consult -ACUC- wishes to extend a deep-hearted message of “thank you” to the PRC.
Historic Trade Liberation:-
Beyond Rhetoric to Action
The PRC’s intention to drop tariffs on imports from African countries is not merely aspirational—it has become reality.
As of June 2025, China has officially committed to eliminating all tariffs on imports from 53 African countries, covering 100% of taxable products.
This represents the most comprehensive trade liberalization package ever offered by a major economy to an entire continent, directly supporting the shared prosperity agenda and industrial growth across Africa.
Economic Impact Evidence:-
This zero-tariff policy is projected to boost African GDP growth significantly through increased export revenues and job creation.
Unlike selective trade preferences, this comprehensive approach ensures that all African nations with diplomatic relations benefit equally, fostering continental economic integration.
Contrasting Development Philosophies:-
Evidence – Based Analysis –
This represents a complete departure from Western impositions of economic squeezing measures designed to frustrate economic growth in Africa.
The contrast is stark and measurable:-
Western Approach – Conditional aid, structural adjustment programs, and selective trade preferences that often tie African economies to dependency cycles. Chinese Approach :- Unconditional market access, infrastructure investment, and technology transfer without political conditionalities.
Supporting Evidence :- While some Western nations have increased trade barriers in recent years, China’s zero-tariff commitment demonstrates a fundamentally different economic philosophy—one that prioritizes mutual benefit over extractive relationships.
The Changsha Declaration –
Multilateral Validation –
The recent meeting in Changsha, with the presence of 53 African states and the African Union, resulted in the China-Africa Changsha Declaration on Upholding Solidarity.
This declaration’s call for the U.S. to resolve trade tensions through dialogue rather than punitive measures demonstrates. The need for constructive consultation over economic coercion.
Significance:-
This represents the largest multilateral endorsement of South-South cooperation principles in recent history, with all African nations except Eswatini —a testament to the broad continental support for this partnership model.
Infrastructure Development:-
Proven Track Record –
China’s goodwill for Africa extends beyond trade to tangible infrastructure development in energy, rail, road, and water management systems.
The evidence is substantial:-
Energy Sector Achievements –
Ghana’s Bui Dam project (400 MW capacity) completed by Sinohydro Corporation in 2013 Multiple hydroelectric projects across the continent improving energy security Solar and renewable energy initiatives addressing power shortages.
Water Resource Optimization:-
The Volta River projects in Ghana with Chinese technical assistance could maximize water resources for both irrigation and industrial development, to directly address Ghana’s natural resource potential.
Youth Empowerment:- Quantified Impact –
The push for skill training for youth in agriculture and aviculture sectors.
Training Programs Evidence:-
China trains approximately 10,000 African officials yearly in agricultural and development techniques
Youth Focus:- Specialized programs like the China Agricultural University Youth of Excellence Scheme specifically target young African agricultural researchers Practical Application:-
Grassroots agricultural education programs are helping smallholder farmers across African nations increase productivity, reduce import dependency and guarantee food sovereignty.
Employment Creation:- These programs directly address unemployment challenges in impoverished South-South regional states through practical skill development rather than theoretical education.
Food Security:-
From Import Dependency to Self-Sufficiency.
Current Reality:-
Many African nations import 60-80% of their food requirements
Chinese agricultural cooperation programs focus on increasing local production capacity
Technology transfer includes drought-resistant crops and efficient farming techniques.
Stability Correlation:-
Research consistently shows that food security directly correlates with political stability—citizens with reliable food access are less likely to experience social unrest, with maintained sovereign peace.
Educational Excellence:- South-South Knowledge Transfer –
The sharing of best practices in educational spaces has measurable outcomes :-
Evidence of Impact:-
Belt and Road Initiative educational exchanges have trained thousands of African professionals Agricultural technology transfer programs show documented yield improvements Technical education partnerships in engineering and infrastructure management.
Comparative Advantage:-
Chinese educational models, developed during China’s own rapid development phase, offer more relevant lessons for developing nations than traditional Western academic approaches designed for already-developed economies.
Economic Liberty Through Diversified Partnerships:-
Moving from economic capital dependency on imperial institutions to more reliable economic liberty is supported by –
Financial Evidence:
China has become Africa’s largest trading partner for 15 consecutive years Chinese infrastructure investments exceed $700 billion in Africa since 2013 Alternative financing mechanisms reduce dependency on Western financial institutions with restrictive conditionalities
Strategic Significance for Global South :-
This China-Africa partnership model provides a replicable framework for South-South cooperation that other developing regions can adapt, challenging the traditional North-South dependency model that has characterized global economics for centuries.
African Union(AU) – Actionable Engagement:
Reflections ;-
Evaluate and follow up on the 2016, China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit in Johannesburg’s comprehensive partnership and the “10 Major China-Africa Cooperation Plans.”
The strategic plans are based on the promotion of industrialization, agricultural modernization, transfer of technology and human resources capacity development cooperation.
The PRC also pledged $60 billion in financial support for the plans, including grants, loans, with the strengthening of the five pillars partnership:-
Political equality, win-win economic cooperation, cultural exchange, security cooperation, amongst others.
Conclusion:-
The PRC’s approach represents a fundamental shift toward genuine partnership rather than exploitation.
The recent tariff elimination, infrastructure investments, and capacity-building programs demonstrate that this is not merely diplomatic rhetoric but a comprehensive strategy for mutual development and shared prosperity.
The quantifiable results—from concrete infrastructure projects to measurable increases in trade volumes and agricultural productivity—validate your optimistic assessment of this partnership’s transformative potential for African economic development and sovereignty.
Benjamin Anyagre Aziginaateeg,
Chief Executive Officer,
African Continental Union Consult -ACUC-
Ghana.
