Speaking virtually to the Japan-India-Africa Business Forum on Wednesday, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar stated that rather than using extractive models, India’s engagement with Africa is centered on creating long-term, sustainable partnerships through capacity-building, skill development, and technology transfer.

Noting that bilateral commerce has reached around USD 100 billion and that infrastructure and connectivity projects totaling more than USD 12 billion have been completed, Jaishankar further highlighted India’s strengthening economic connections with Africa.

“India has always approached Africa with a strong commitment to forming enduring, mutually beneficial alliances. India supports technology transfer, talent development, and capacity-building as opposed to extractive engagement models, making sure that African nations create self-sustaining growth environments in addition to reaping the benefits of investments, Jaishankar said.

“India is Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner, with bilateral trade reaching nearly USD 100 billion and growing steadily,” he said, highlighting the continent’s expanding economic relations with India.

With more than USD 12 billion in concessional financing and more than 200 completed projects throughout the continent in sectors including water supply, power production, railroads, and agriculture, India has also shown a strong commitment to Africa’s connectivity and infrastructure development. India has created local jobs and, in fact, transformed life in Africa through its development projects in a number of sectors, including drinking water schemes, irrigation, rural solar electrification, power plants, transmission lines, cement, sugar & textile factories, technology parks, and railway infrastructure.

Jaishankar also reiterated India and Japan’s shared commitment to democracy, freedom, and the rule of law while outlining their common vision for enhancing engagement with Africa and beyond. “Our bilateral connection has developed into a unique strategic and international cooperation over time. In sectors like infrastructure, technology, healthcare, and education, we have collectively established solid foundations. Our bilateral involvement in a variety of fields is further strengthened and complemented by our participation in QUAD.

When discussing the role of the Global South, he emphasized how crucial it is to give developing economies a voice in international decision-making. “As the Global South emerges as the future driver of economic growth, it is imperative that we ensure its aspirations and interests are fully represented on the global stage,” he said.

India’s efforts to promote this cause were highlighted by the EAM, especially during its G20 presidency and the Voice of the Global South Summits, where it was successful in securing the African Union’s permanent participation in the G20.

In order to improve involvement, Jaishankar also mentioned various channels of collaboration, such as the India-Africa Forum Summit and the Forum for India-Pacific Islands Cooperation (FIPIC).

Jaishankar emphasized India’s efforts to promote Africa’s development and reiterated the country’s emphasis on developing sustainable growth ecosystems. He cited initiatives like the Pan-African e-Network project, the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC), and high-impact community development programs that have improved capabilities in fields like digital public infrastructure, healthcare, and education.

“The e-VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti network was launched in 2019 for tele-education and tele-medicine,” Jaishankar said, providing information on India’s e-learning and telemedicine projects. Youth from 19 African nations have signed up for a variety of undergraduate, graduate, and certificate programs under this project.
Jaishankar was upbeat about the prospects of India-Japan-Africa cooperation in his closing comments.

“Africa’s talent and consumption, India’s strong industrial foundation and digital capabilities, and Japanese investments may all work together to produce positive results for all parties involved. In addition to benefiting its people, Africa’s development and prosperity will advance global economic stability. India and Japan are in a good position to contribute to Africa’s development in a sustainable and inclusive way because of their complementary capabilities.