India-Africa relations, rooted in shared anti-colonial struggles and solidarity through the Non-Aligned Movement, have transformed significantly in the last two decades. What was once a predominantly developmental and moral partnership has evolved into a strategic, economic, security, technological, and people-centric engagement framework, symbolised by the India–Africa Forum Summits (IAFS).
Evolution of India–Africa Partnership:
1. Diplomatic & Institutional Expansion:
- India hosted all 54 African countries at IAFS-III (2015), the largest diplomatic outreach in independent India’s history.
- India played a key role in securing African Union’s permanent membership in the G20 (2023).
2. Economic and Investment Growth:
- India–Africa trade crossed USD 100 billion in 2023–24 with a target of USD 200 billion by 2030.
- India is among Africa’s top 5 investors, with USD 75 billion in cumulative investments (CII).
3. Security Cooperation:
- As part of AIKEYME (2025), India conducted its first joint maritime engagement with 10 African navies.
- India trains African peacekeepers and contributes extensively to UN missions in Congo, South Sudan, Sudan.
4. People-to-People Linkages:
- Large Indian diaspora communities in East & Southern Africa strengthen socio-cultural bonds.
Role of India–Africa Partnership in addressing Challenges:
1. Overcoming China’s Dominance:
- India focuses on developmental, transparent, demand-driven cooperation, avoiding debt traps.
- Provides capacity building rather than extractive investments, a key African preference.
2. Bridging Connectivity Gaps:
- Indian partnerships support African infrastructure but with local skill creation and technology transfer such as Pan-African e-Network, and solar electrification projects under ISA.
3. Supporting Africa’s Agenda:
- Africa accounts for 48% of global cobalt and 47% of manganese; India co-develops clean energy value chains.
- Under the International Solar Alliance, India committed USD 2 billion for African solar projects.
- India supplied medicines and vaccines to 32 African states during COVID-19.
Remaining Challenges:
- Long gap since IAFS-III (2015) which shows weak institutional follow-through.
- Competition from China, US, EU, Gulf states.
- Slow project delivery & bureaucratic delays.
- African political instability (9 coups since 2020) carrying investment risks.
- Africa’s debt vulnerabilities limit its capacity to absorb LoCs.
Way Forward: Making the Partnership Future-Ready:
- Revive IAFS-IV for structured, periodic engagement.
- Create an India–Africa Digital Corridor using DPI + fintech innovation.
- Blended finance mechanisms with AfDB to de-risk private investment.
- Collaborate with Africa’s Agenda 2063 & AfCFTA for long-term strategic alignment.
Conclusion:
In an emerging multipolar world, India and Africa together form a transformative growth corridor, capable of shaping the future of the Global South.
‘+1’ Value Addtion:
- India–Africa trade constitutes $100+ billion (2024) while China–Africa trade is at $282 billion.
- IIT Madras Zanzibar Campus (2023) is India’s first global IIT, symbolizing capacity-building leadership.
- AIKEYME Maritime Exercise (2025) with 10 African navies enhances Indian Ocean security cooperation.
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