What happened in Beijing in September: An analysis of FOCAC and the geopolitics of Africa's partnerships

The ninth FOCAC Beijing Summit signaled a recalibration of China-Africa relations, moving toward a partnership defined by African agency and a focus on quality outcomes over quantity. Despite a period of declining lending since 2016, China committed USD 50.7 billion over three years, focusing on agricultural market access, mineral processing, and infrastructure. The summit highlighted Africa's desire for value addition and industrialization, as well as China's assertive push to promote its governance model and Global South leadership through the Global Development, Security, and Civilization Initiatives. This shift poses a competitive challenge to the EU and US, as African nations increasingly prioritize partnerships that offer tangible utility and respect for sovereignty.

• The ninth FOCAC Beijing Summit marked a shift from the 'retrenchment' perceived at the 2021 Dakar meeting toward a 're-calibration' of relations, characterized by increased agency from African leaders who prioritized 'quality rather than quantity' in outcomes.
• China made a financial commitment of USD 50.7 billion for the period 2025-2027, focusing on agriculture, industry, technology, trade, and investments, including expanded market access for African agricultural products and investment in local mineral processing.
• African leaders are increasingly pushing for a transition from exporting raw materials to establishing local refining and processing plants, exemplified by Zimbabwe's requirements for lithium refining and Benin's consideration of banning raw cashew nut exports.
• China is expanding its security engagement in Africa through the Global Security Initiative (GSI), pledging RMB 1 billion in military assistance grants, training for 7,000 military and police personnel, and joint military exercises.
• The USD 1 billion agreement to rehabilitate the Tazara railway connecting Zambia and Tanzania is a key geopolitical outcome, aligning with the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and competing with the US-backed Lobito Atlantic railway.
• China is aggressively targeting Africa's green energy and electric vehicle (EV) markets, benefiting from lower import tariffs in several African countries compared to the high tariffs faced in the US and EU.
• China is utilizing the Global Development Initiative, Global Security Initiative, and Global Civilization Initiative to promote an alternative governance model to Western liberal democracy and reduce Western influence in Africa.

APA

Mboya, C. (2024). What happened in Beijing in September: An analysis of FOCAC and the geopolitics of Africa's partnerships. Africa Policy Research Institute. https://afripoli.org/what-happened-in-beijing-in-september-an-analysis-of-focac-and-the-geopolitics-of-africas-partnerships

Chicago

Mboya, Cliff. What happened in Beijing in September: An analysis of FOCAC and the geopolitics of Africa's partnerships. Africa Policy Research Institute, 2024. https://afripoli.org/what-happened-in-beijing-in-september-an-analysis-of-focac-and-the-geopolitics-of-africas-partnerships.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Mboya |first1=Cliff |title=What happened in Beijing in September: An analysis of FOCAC and the geopolitics of Africa's partnerships |publisher=Africa Policy Research Institute |date=4 November 2024 |url=https://afripoli.org/what-happened-in-beijing-in-september-an-analysis-of-focac-and-the-geopolitics-of-africas-partnerships |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{mboya2024what, author = {Mboya, Cliff}, title = {{What happened in Beijing in September: An analysis of FOCAC and the geopolitics of Africa's partnerships}}, institution = {Africa Policy Research Institute}, year = {2024}, month = nov, url = {https://afripoli.org/what-happened-in-beijing-in-september-an-analysis-of-focac-and-the-geopolitics-of-africas-partnerships}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }