The upcoming China-Africa Forum is poised to shine a spotlight on poverty reduction and infrastructure development as key levers for Africa’s modernisation, according to Prof. Sheriff Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research in Nigeria.
Speaking in Abuja on Tuesday, Prof. Ibrahim emphasised that the forum offers a strategic opportunity for African nations to align their development goals with China’s track record in governance and economic transformation. The event, officially the second Post-Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, is set to take place in Abuja on June 26, 2025.
The forum is themed “Jointly Advancing China-Africa Modernisation and Achieving the 10 Partnership Initiative in an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future.” It aims to translate diplomatic goodwill into actionable plans under the China-Africa 10 Partnership Action Plan. This framework includes collaboration in trade, rural development, healthcare, infrastructure, clean energy, and cultural exchange.
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At a press briefing, Prof. Ibrahim described the upcoming event as a timely shift from promises to tangible progress, particularly in areas where China’s developmental models can be localised for African contexts. He noted the forum’s alignment with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, Africa’s long-term strategic blueprint for inclusive growth.
A key feature of the forum will be presentations by ten West African experts who will discuss practical strategies for overcoming policy and implementation challenges. Topics will include how African governments can integrate Chinese policy tools with local realities, and the role of legal and institutional frameworks, like the China-Africa Joint Arbitration Centre, in supporting long-term collaboration through initiatives such as the Belt and Road Initiative.
Ultimately, the forum is seen as a crucial platform for translating China-Africa diplomatic ties into shared solutions that support peace, prosperity, and sustainable development across the continent.
