Rise Of Africa: President Ram Nath Kovind’s visit to the continent should translate into concrete bilateral projects

In a significant tour, President Ram Nath Kovind’s first foreign trip after taking office took him to the African nations of Djibouti and Ethiopia. The trip highlights the importance that the current government attaches to its African engagements. This is indeed welcome as Africa is the next big growth hub. With a growing middle class and improving governance structures, the continent is primed to receive investments and facilitate global trade. Hence, Africa can no longer be seen just as a hub of natural resources. The continent now awaits technological innovations and human capital enrichment to become a veritable pole of global economic growth.

This is precisely why China is ramping up its investments in Africa. Of course, China is interested in African natural resources. But in recognition of Africa’s growing potential it is going beyond that to heavily invest in the continent’s physical infrastructure, ports, cities and a host of employment-generating industries.

Given this scenario, India too needs to ramp up its Africa game. And this is where Kovind’s visit to Djibouti and Ethiopia assumes significance. Djibouti’s strategic location on the Horn of Africa is perfect for naval operations. China has already established its first overseas military base in this African nation. India, on the other hand, doesn’t even have a full-fledged embassy in Djibouti. Meanwhile, Ethiopia is the headquarters of the African Union. Yet, India’s relations with Ethiopia haven’t fully exploited this aspect.

India has a natural advantage over China in Africa in the form of a large Indian diaspora in Anglophone African nations. However, this isn’t enough. India needs to expand its African outreach with concrete projects on the ground. It’s time to move beyond the rhetoric about India’s historical relations with African nations and conceptualise a future where India and Africa are equal partners in development. It’s time to view Africa as a continent that can change the world.