The Hindu Editorial Analysis
18 November 2025
India needs to ‘Connect, Build and Revive’ with Africa
(Source – The Hindu, International Edition – Page No. – 8)
Topic : GS Paper II: India and its Neighbourhood & Africa Relations | GS Paper III: International Economic Relations, South-South Cooperation
Context
Ten years after the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-III) held in 2015, the article calls for a revival of India’s engagement with Africa. While India has expanded diplomatic and economic footprints since then, the partnership now demands renewed strategic, digital, and institutional reinvigoration to remain competitive amid China’s growing presence.
Background: India–Africa Ties at a Glance
- Diplomatic outreach: India now has 17 new missions in Africa, covering all 54 nations.
- Trade and investment: Bilateral trade has crossed $100 billion, with cumulative investments around $75 billion.
- Development cooperation: Through ITEC, Pan-African e-Network, and peacekeeping operations, India remains a trusted development partner.
- New initiatives: The IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar symbolizes the next-generation partnership in education and technology.
Opportunities and Challenges
1. Economic Potential:
- By 2050, one in four people globally will live in Africa.
- India and Africa can jointly shape a commerce–technology–demography corridor linking the Global South.
2. Competition with China:
- India lags behind China in trade volume and project delivery speed.
- African economies seek rapid digital transformation, an area where India must leverage UPI, Aadhaar, and India Stack for digital collaboration.
3. Structural Issues:
- Bureaucratic inertia and small-scale investments hinder India’s impact.
- Scaling partnerships in green hydrogen, EV mobility, and digital infrastructure can unlock long-term strategic gains.
Key Pillars of Cooperation
1. The Human Link:
- Over 40,000 African students have studied in India in the last decade.
- Alumni networks—scientists, civil servants, and entrepreneurs—serve as “living bridges” of trust and talent.
2. Knowledge and Education:
- Initiatives such as Pan-African e-Network and IIT Zanzibar represent India’s model of co-creation, not dependency.
3. Peace and Multilateralism:
- India has championed African representation in the UNSC and G20, supporting Africa’s demand for a larger global voice.
Looking Ahead: Three Strategic Moves
- Connect Finance to Real Outcomes:
- Ensure that lines of credit translate into projects that deliver tangible local benefits rather than diplomatic symbolism.
- Build a Digital Partnership:
- Expand India Stack and UPI to Africa to support digital public goods, education, and healthcare.
- Revive the Institutional Dialogue:
- The IAFS Summit, last held in 2015, must be reconvened to reaffirm political commitment and strategic direction.
Conclusion
“India and Africa are not just exchanging goods; they are exchanging confidence, capacity, and ideas.”
The India–Africa relationship has matured from aid to partnership, rooted in shared historical bonds and South–South cooperation. The future lies in digital co-development, green collaboration, and institutional revival—anchoring India’s rise as a credible partner of a resurgent Africa.