India Grows Its Trading Relationship with Africa

According to the Brookings Institute, India and Africa’s partnership has experienced a revival in recent years, especially during the COVID pandemic. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government has made moves that indicate its intention for India to become Africa’s biggest partner. Building on a growing trade and investment portfolio, India now has a strategy with clear guiding principles and areas of focus.

The private sector is key to this strategy, particularly in the areas of skill and capacity-building initiatives, health care, agriculture, and the digital revolution. Moreover, underpinning the seriousness of India’s Africa policy shift, the country has made maritime security a key pillar in most of its engagement with countries like Kenya and South Africa.

Meanwhile, according to the Chinese Custom’s Authority, China remained for the 12^th consecutive year the biggest trading source for Africa in 2021. For example, Kenya spent 60% of its export earnings on China-made goods.