China Pledges Deeper Industrial, Mineral Cooperation in Address to AU summit
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday pledged stronger cooperation with Africa on industrialisation, infrastructure and critical minerals, telling leaders at the African Union summit that Beijing would remain a long-term partner as global powers compete for influence on the continent.
In a speech delivered to heads of state at the AU headquarters in Addis Ababa, Xi said China would support Africa’s push to develop manufacturing, add value to its natural resources and accelerate its green transition.
His remarks come as the United States and European countries ramp up engagement with African nations rich in lithium, cobalt and rare earth minerals, key to electric vehicles and renewable energy technologies.
China already dominates much of the global processing of several of these minerals and has invested heavily in African mining and infrastructure over the past decade.
Xi said China would expand imports of African agricultural and manufactured goods, encourage Chinese firms to invest in local processing industries and back projects in clean energy, transport and digital connectivity.
He also pledged cooperation in vocational training, public health and technology transfer.
China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for years, with two-way trade hitting record levels in recent years.
Beijing has financed railways, highways, ports and power plants across the continent under its Belt and Road Initiative, although some projects have drawn scrutiny over debt sustainability.
Without directly addressing criticism, Xi said China supports African countries in managing debt challenges through consultation and opposes the “politicisation” of development financing.
He added that China backs reforms to global financial institutions to give developing countries, including African states, a greater voice.
African leaders have called for more concessional financing and investment in value-added industries to help shift economies away from raw commodity exports.
The continent holds significant reserves of minerals crucial to the global energy transition but captures a limited share of processing and manufacturing value.
The AU summit comes as many African economies face high borrowing costs, climate-related shocks and slower global growth.
Analysts say Beijing’s renewed pledges signal its intent to retain a central role in Africa’s economic development even as competition for strategic resources intensifies.
gandae@businessdayafrica.org