China-Africa South-South Cooperation Gains Momentum at Recent Events
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- China-Africa South-South Cooperation Gains Momentum at Recent Events
China-Africa South-South cooperation is strengthening, delivering benefits across Africa. Events in Changsha and Guangzhou highlighted collaboration via the Global South-South Development Center (GSSDC) project.">
South-South cooperation between China and Africa is gaining traction, yielding significant benefits for communities across the African continent. Recent events in Changsha and Guangzhou underscored the growing collaboration between African institutions, Chinese partners, and international organizations. These partnerships are facilitated through the Global south-South Development Center (GSSDC) project, with support from the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the Chinese government.
China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo Highlights South-South Cooperation
The Fourth China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) took place in changsha, Hunan Province, from June 12-15, 2025. A dedicated exhibition on “China-Africa South-South Cooperation” showcased impactful initiatives supported by the GSSDC project. the China-Africa Buisness Council (CABC), a member of the China South-South Cooperation Network (CSSCN), organized the exhibition.
The exhibition featured various South-South cooperation initiatives and small grants implemented by Chinese and African institutions under the GSSDC project. Support for the GSSDC project comes from the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and the China International Center for Economic and Technical Exchanges (CICETE). CAETE,established following the 2018 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC),has become a leading national platform for promoting China-Africa economic and trade relations. This biennial event plays a crucial role in advancing FOCAC’s trade and development priorities and fostering collaboration between African partners and various Chinese provinces and cities [[1]].
Did You Know? The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027) outlines key areas for collaboration between China and Africa [[2]].
Seminar on China-Africa Rice Value Chain Cooperation Concludes
The Fifth Seminar on China-Africa Rice Value Chain Cooperation, along with the West Africa Rice Value Chain Project Review Conference, successfully concluded in Guangzhou from June 17 to 19. The event brought together over 150 stakeholders from governments, international organizations, research institutions, the private sector, and civil society.
The World Food Program (WFP) center of Excellence for Rural Transformation in China, UNOSSC, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and the Department of International Cooperation of the National Food and Strategic Reserves Governance (NAFRA) of china co-organized the event. The seminar, themed “Paddy for Prosperity: Creating a New Chapter for Enduring Development of China-Africa Rice Value Chain Cooperation,” served as a platform for discussing the transformation of food systems and enhancing sustainable agricultural development across the continent. Participants reaffirmed their commitment to scaling up cooperation and innovation in agricultural development through the China-Africa partnership.
A key focus was the review of the 2nd phase of the west Africa Rice Value Chain Project, funded by the Gates Foundation. Building on the pilot phase supported by the UNOSSC GSSDC Project, the 2nd phase expanded to 10 communities across Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, benefiting over 2,000 farming households. Evaluations showed that introducing improved seeds, fertilizers, and small agricultural tools led to a 20-40% increase in rice yields. Post-harvest losses decreased from 30% to 15%, and farmer incomes rose by approximately 30%.
Pro Tip: Investing in agricultural technology and training can significantly improve crop yields and farmer incomes in developing countries.
The 2nd phase also demonstrated significant progress in promoting gender equality. In Côte d’Ivoire, 98% of participating women actively engaged in project activities, with over half taking leadership roles in household decision-making and post-harvest processing and storage. Capacity building activities, including 10 training sessions, 9 instructional videos, and exchange visits to China for over 20 local stakeholders, contributed to developing a pipeline of agricultural technical talent to sustain future sector development.
GSSDC, a flagship initiative of UNOSSC funded by the Government of China under the UN Fund for South-South Cooperation (UNFSSC), was launched in 2009 in partnership with CICETE. GSSDC Phase II (2025-2030) aims to leverage the technical expertise and resources of the China South-South Cooperation Network (CSSCN) to advance practical and technological cooperation, capacity development, knowledge exchange, and network-building, while promoting South-South and triangular cooperation among cities and sub-national entities globally.
Key Metrics of the West Africa Rice Value Chain Project
| Metric | Pilot Phase | 2nd Phase |
|---|---|---|
| Rice Yield Increase | N/A | 20-40% |
| Post-Harvest Loss Reduction | N/A | 30% to 15% |
| Farmer Income Increase | N/A | ~30% |
| Participating women (Côte d’Ivoire) | N/A | 98% |
Evergreen Insights on South-South Cooperation
South-South cooperation represents a vital framework for developing countries to share knowledge,technologies,and best practices. This collaboration fosters self-reliance and sustainable development by leveraging the unique experiences and resources within the Global South.The China-Africa partnership, exemplified by initiatives like the GSSDC and CAETE, demonstrates the potential of South-South cooperation to address critical challenges in agriculture, trade, and economic development.
Frequently Asked Questions About China-Africa Cooperation
What are the main goals of China-Africa South-South Cooperation?
The primary goals include promoting economic development, enhancing agricultural productivity, fostering technological innovation, and strengthening trade relations between China and African nations.
How does the Global South-South Development Center (GSSDC) support these initiatives?
The GSSDC provides a platform for sharing expertise, facilitating technology transfer, and coordinating projects that address specific development challenges in african communities.
What role does the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) play?
FOCAC serves as a high-level platform for dialog and cooperation between China and African countries, setting strategic priorities and guiding the implementation of various development initiatives [[3]].
What othre collaborative projects between China and Africa do you find most promising? How can these partnerships be further strengthened to achieve sustainable development goals?
Share yoru thoughts and join the conversation below!
