India needs to ‘connect, build and revive’ with Africa

Source: The post “India needs to ‘connect, build and revive’ with Africa” has been created, based on “India needs to ‘connect, build and revive’ with Africa” published in “The Hindu” on 18 November 2025. India needs to ‘connect, build and revive’ with Africa.

UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper 2- International relations

Context: India’s relationship with Africa has grown significantly over the past decade, evolving from traditional ties to a more dynamic and multi-faceted partnership. The India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) held in 2015 marked a milestone in this relationship. Since then, India has increased its diplomatic presence, trade relations, and investment in Africa, positioning itself as a critical player in Africa’s growth and development.

Growth in India-Africa Relations

1. Diplomatic Expansion: Since 2015, India has opened 17 new missions across Africa, reinforcing its diplomatic engagement.
2. Trade and Investment: Trade between India and Africa has surpassed $100 billion, and India is now one of the top five investors in Africa with cumulative investments of $75 billion. Investment flows are steadily rising, focusing on key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and technology.
3. Global Representation: India has played an instrumental role in ensuring Africa’s full membership in the G-20, strengthening the continent’s global voice.

Opportunities for Deeper Engagement

1. Demographic Dividend: By 2050, one in four people on Earth will be in Africa, creating a unique opportunity for India to tap into a young, growing market. India’s economic strength and demographic alignment with Africa provide a solid foundation for mutual growth.
2. Strategic and Economic Partnerships: India has increasingly focused on co-investing in future-facing sectors such as green hydrogen, electric mobility, and digital infrastructure in Africa. India can help Africa leapfrog in these areas, thus fostering sustainable growth.
3. Educational and Technical Cooperation: India’s educational initiatives, such as the IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar, provide African students with opportunities to develop skills that are essential for Africa’s future development. Over 40,000 Africans have studied in India in the last decade, with many returning to contribute to their nations’ development.
4. Security and Peacekeeping: India’s naval and security partnerships in Africa are expanding. Countries like Comoros, Djibouti, and Kenya have joined India in strengthening shared maritime security.
5. India’s support for peacekeeping missions in Africa, as part of its broader UN peacekeeping efforts, further demonstrates its commitment to the continent’s stability.

Challenges to Overcome

1. Competition from China: Despite India’s growing presence, it still lags behind China, which has heavily invested in Africa. China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has allowed it to dominate African infrastructure projects.
2. Bureaucratic Hurdles: Indian firms often face challenges such as small balance sheets and bureaucratic delays that hinder their ability to scale up investments in Africa.
3. Need for Technology Transfer: While India has contributed significantly in terms of funding and projects, there is a need for more technology transfer, particularly in cutting-edge sectors like renewable energy and digital infrastructure.

The Human Link and Soft Power

1. India’s most significant contribution to Africa is its human capital. Over 40,000 African students have studied in India in the past decade, creating a network of skilled professionals.
2. People-to-people connections, such as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), help build long-lasting relationships between India and Africa. Many of these students have returned to Africa, working in policy, governance, and innovation sectors, acting as bridges between the two regions.

Way Forward

1. Technology and Innovation: India should focus on advancing its partnerships with Africa in high-tech sectors, particularly green hydrogen, electric mobility, and digital infrastructure, which are key to Africa’s sustainable growth.
2. Increasing Investments: India must work to overcome bureaucratic barriers and increase public-private partnerships (PPP) to scale investments in Africa’s development.
3. Trade Partnerships: Strengthening India’s trade relations through agreements like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will open up new opportunities for deeper economic integration.
4. Capacity Building: India should continue to expand its educational and skill development programs in Africa, focusing on technical training, entrepreneurship, and digital skills, in order to contribute to Africa’s human capital development.
5. Enhanced Security Cooperation: Building more robust security and defense ties through joint military exercises, peacekeeping operations, and infrastructure security projects will reinforce India-Africa partnerships.

Conclusion: India’s partnership with Africa is entering a new phase, one that goes beyond trade and investment to include strategic cooperation, educational partnerships, and sustainable development initiatives. The challenges posed by competition and bureaucratic obstacles are real, but India’s strengths in technology, human capital, and diplomacy offer significant opportunities for strengthening ties. In the coming years, India must move up the value chain by focusing on co-investment in future-facing sectors and enhancing its technological and educational outreach to Africa. The continent’s demographic and economic transformation offers India a unique opportunity to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of the African continent.

Question. Discuss the evolving relationship between India and Africa, highlighting the opportunities and challenges in enhancing their strategic, economic, and cultural ties. How can India strengthen its position in Africa in the coming years?