China has announced an extensive roadmap to bolster its cooperation with Africa over the next three years through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). Unveiled during the opening ceremony of the FOCAC Beijing Summit, which took place this month, the “Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027)” outlines 10 comprehensive partnership initiatives aimed at driving Africa’s development and deepening the China-Africa relationship.
In his keynote speech at the FOCAC opening ceremony, Chinese President Xi Jinping called on Africa to work together with his country, the world’s second-largest economy, “to promote fair and reasonable modernization.”
He said, “To promote national modernization, we must not only follow the general laws of modernization, but also conform to the actual conditions of our country. China is willing to strengthen exchanges of experience in governance with African countries, support countries in exploring a path of modernization that suits their national conditions, and ensure equal rights and opportunities for all countries.”
Below is our summary of the significant areas of cooperation identified and fronted by China, which are of interest to Africans who are keen on entrepreneurship, innovation and technology.
Key Areas of Cooperation: The plan focuses on promoting modernization in Africa by addressing the continent’s developmental needs across various sectors, including trade, industrial cooperation, healthcare, rural revitalization, and security.
- Mutual Learning Between Civilizations: China will create 25 research centers across Africa and provide training to African leaders through the African Leadership Academy. In addition, 1,000 African political figures will visit China for exchanges to strengthen governance capacity.
- Trade Prosperity: China plans to eliminate tariffs for products from the least developed African countries and establish trade facilitation measures, including e-commerce cooperation and conformity assessment programs. This effort will help African countries expand agricultural exports and build a China-Africa digital trade platform.
- Industrial Chain Cooperation: China aims to establish local value chains in Africa and assist in the development of industrial parks across five regions. Chinese firms will implement 20 digital infrastructure projects while providing financing and training to small and medium-sized African enterprises (SMEs).
- Infrastructure and Connectivity: In an effort to promote African integration, China will back 30 infrastructure projects and work on connecting African transport networks to Chinese-operated industrial parks. The initiative also supports financial connectivity through currency settlement and fintech collaborations.
- Development Cooperation: China will co-publish a joint statement with Africa to deepen global development cooperation. Notably, China will waive intergovernmental loans for the least developed countries in Africa, provide funding for the 2026 Summer Youth Olympics and the 2027 African Cup of Nations, and commit $50 million to a World Bank facility supporting inclusive growth.
- Healthcare: The partnership aims to improve African healthcare systems by establishing joint medical centers, promoting traditional medicine, and sending 2,000 medical professionals to Africa. China will also implement ten healthcare facility programs and malaria elimination projects.
- Rural Revitalization: To combat hunger, China will help African nations achieve sustainable agricultural development. Initiatives include constructing demonstration farms, agricultural technology centers, and poverty reduction projects that will create up to one million local jobs.
- People-to-People Exchanges: Cultural and educational exchanges will be deepened through 60,000 training opportunities, vocational education projects, and people-to-people initiatives. China will also focus on women’s empowerment and youth development through specialized programs.
- Green Development: China is committed to supporting Africa’s adaptation to climate change by implementing 30 clean energy projects, building joint laboratories, and supporting Africa’s involvement in international space exploration projects.
- Common Security: China will provide RMB 1 billion in military grants and train 6,000 military personnel in Africa to strengthen security cooperation. China also plans to support African peacekeeping missions and security for Belt and Road projects.
Financial Support To ensure the successful implementation of these initiatives, China has pledged RMB 360 billion (approximately $49 billion) in financial support over the next three years. This includes RMB 210 billion in credit lines, RMB 80 billion in development assistance, and at least RMB 70 billion in investment by Chinese companies.
