Interview: China’s modernization sets Africa’s roadmap: think tank chief

LUSAKA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) — China’s modernization provides a valuable road map for African countries, the head of a Zambian think tank said recently.

Sydney Mwamba, executive director of the Center for Policy Monitoring and Research, said in an interview that China’s success in alleviating poverty, developing infrastructure and advancing technology provides a model for African countries as they pursue sustainable development.

He believes Africa can learn lessons from China’s experience in transforming the country from an agrarian society into a global economic powerhouse.

Mwamba said the Chinese government was “working to lift everyone out of poverty and is trying very hard to reduce inequality.” He emphasized the importance of China’s development path, which balances economic growth with social progress.

He further stressed the need to modernise infrastructure in Africa, especially railways and roads, to facilitate the free movement of goods, services and people.

Mwamba praised China’s focus on green development, noting its importance for Africa, which is grappling with the effects of climate change and energy shortages. He said China’s expertise in renewable energy, such as solar and wind, can help Africa overcome its energy challenges.

Noting that many African countries lag behind in technology and innovation, resulting in low productivity, he believes China’s progress in agriculture can help modernize the African sector and boost productivity.

Mwamba supported China’s call to add more value to Africa’s raw materials. He noted that Africa has long been an exporter of raw materials and advocated a shift to value-added manufacturing to drive economic development.

He expressed satisfaction with China-backed economic zones in African countries such as Zambia, where manufacturing is expanding. Mwamba said the establishment of such zones has been successful in China and is promising for the industrialization of Africa.

Mwamba welcomed the fact that the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) emphasises practical, results-oriented partnerships, underlining China’s commitment to the sustainable development of Africa.

He commended China’s 10 proposed partnership actions to jointly support the modernization of Africa, especially the partnership actions on connectivity, which are in line with the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the African Continental Free Trade Area.

“This is not just rhetoric,” Mwamba added. “It is about tangible results in various sectors such as agriculture, health, trade, infrastructure, technology and many other areas where China intends to continue to cooperate with African countries.”