Xi Jinping pledges more help to Africa in both industrial and agriculture sectors

Remarks at China-Africa Leaders’ Roundtable Dialogue address economic activities more than infrastructure, a shift from past focus on belt and road projects

‘China will harness its resources … to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realising industrialisation and economic diversification,’ Xi says

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South African President Cyril Ramaphosa (left) and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the China-Africa Leaders’ Roundtable Dialogue on Thursday at the Brics summit in Johannesburg. Photo: Reuters

Published: 11:00am, 25 Aug 2023Updated: 6:09pm, 25 Aug 2023

China will allocate more resources for Africa’s industrialisation and agricultural production – as well as train thousands of African students in vocational skills, Chinese President Xi Jinping promised African leaders on Thursday.

Meeting African leaders for the China-Africa Leaders’ Roundtable Dialogue at the end of the Brics summit in Johannesburg, Xi said China would launch an initiative to support Africa’s industrialisation.

“China will harness its resources … to support Africa in growing its manufacturing sector and realising industrialisation and economic diversification,” Xi said.

While not disclosing the amount of financing to be allocated, Xi said China would channel more resources for assistance, investment and financing towards industrialisation programmes.

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Further, Xi said, China would help African countries expand grain plantations, encourage Chinese companies to increase agricultural investments in Africa and boost seed production.