Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa

The document examines the shift in global development dynamics, noting the rise of South–South co-operation (SSC) and the emergence of 'state capitalism', exemplified by China. It argues that while the diversification of partners offers opportunities, African nations must proactively define their developmental interests and improve negotiating capacity to avoid being exploited by rising powers seeking resources. The author recommends that Africa adopt transparency and accountability principles similar to those in North-South aid, utilize national and regional development strategies as frameworks for cooperation, and establish regional codes of conduct for investments, particularly regarding farmland and food security.

• South–South co-operation (SSC) has evolved into a politically viable tool that illustrates the decreasing dependence of the developing world on Western and former colonial powers, a trend accelerated by the 2008 global economic downturn.
• The rise of emerging markets has challenged Western development models, introducing 'state capitalism'—with China as a primary example—and leading to a shift where China has surpassed the World Bank in lending to developing countries.
• Despite the rhetoric of solidarity, rising powers primarily pursue their own national interests, often focused on securing access to minerals and oil, meaning African states cannot assume these partnerships automatically benefit their own development.
• African states are encouraged to apply elements of the Paris and Accra principles—specifically transparency, ownership, and mutual accountability—to their Southern partnerships and use the AU/Nepad African Action Plan as a guide for cooperation.
• There is a critical need for African countries to develop regional codes of conduct for investments to protect local communities, water security, and food security, especially concerning the sale of farmland.
• The African Union's common position on development effectiveness, adopted in September 2011 in Addis Ababa, emphasizes capacity development and the stimulation of productive economic sectors as the primary means for Africa to exit aid dependency.
• South Africa's Development Co-operation Information System, managed by the National Treasury, is cited as an example of good practice for tracking and monitoring inward Overseas Development Assistance (ODA).

APA

Sidiropoulos, E. (2012). Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf

Chicago

Sidiropoulos, Elizabeth. Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2012. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Sidiropoulos |first1=Elizabeth |title=Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=March 2012 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sidiropoulos2012rising, author = {Sidiropoulos, Elizabeth}, title = {{Rising Powers, South–South Co-operation and Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2012}, month = mar, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Policy-Briefing-47.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }