India Africa Relations

South–South cooperation, people-to-people linkages and common development challenges + India’s consistent support to anti-colonial & antiracist liberation, & apartheid struggles in South Africa.

Importance of Africa (1 billion population market)

Africa is resource-rich – moving from being an underdeveloped continent to having fast-growing economies
India’s ambition to become a permanent member of UNSC needs support from all 54 countries of the continent.
Africa has emerged as an important market for Indian goods, agribusiness, pharmaceuticals and services; & in return proves to be a vital element in India’s quest for strategic minerals and other natural resources
Africa is crucial to the India-fostered International Solar Alliance. Over a dozen of the ISA’s members are from Africa, the continental powerhouse of solar energy.

Convergence of Interest

Aligned on the outstanding issues at the WTO and are in favour of multilateral trading systems.
Cooperation on climate change as both had “contributed the least to global warming”.
Convergence of interest for reforming the Security Council
India provides a useful model for democratic development & is increasingly responding to requests from African governments to share its democratic experience

Indian generic drugs, due to their relatively cheap prices, are used heavily to fight HIV/ Aids in Africa

In 2006, India launched its flagship aid initiative in Africa, Pan-African e-Network, the continent’s largest tele-education and telemedicine initiative.

The network links 47 African countries with schools and hospitals in India through satellite and fiber-optic links.

Also read: India Central Asia Relations and India Myanmar Relations

India’s challenges in Africa

China strong presence in the continent
Political instability in number of African Nation may impact India’s long term investment opportunities
An extraordinary increase in terrorist attacks by extremists connected to al-Qaida and ISIS across Africa recently
In recent months, there has been a spate of assaults on Africans based in India. These assaults generate a negative image of India in Africa

China vs India in Africa

The growing Sino-Indian involvement has been economically beneficial and has resulted in widespread investment and development, with African leaders welcoming the competition.

While China’s aggressive economic approach has caused it to achieve more influence in Africa, its dominance is slowly being impeded by India’s growing involvement in the region. India has focused on emphasizing its cultural and historical ties to enhance its trade relations with resource-rich countries of Africa for ex. Sudan, where Indian corporations have attained near complete control of the local oil and natural gas industry.

African nations are realizing that though Chinese investments are attractive, there are certain issues like:

Chinese companies instead of employing locals use Chinese workers.

Chinese companies don’t pay much attention to environment protection.

Chinese loans come with strict conditions that only Chinese technology will be utilized.

India needs to harness this opportunity. India already enjoys the good will of African people due to historical ties and Indian company’s practices of employing local workers and skilling them.

Asia Africa Growth Corridor

Indian and Japanese governments unveiled a vision document for the Asia Africa Growth Corridor.
It is an attempt to create a “free and open Indo-Pacific region” by rediscovering ancient sea-routes and creating new sea corridors that will link the African continent with India and countries in South-Asia and South-East Asia.

Japan’s contribution to the project will be its state-of-the-art technology and ability to build quality infrastructure, while India will bring in its expertise of working in Africa.
Unlike China’s OBOR project Asia Africa Growth Corridor is conceived as a more open and inclusive programme that will be based on more consultations and keep people as the centre piece rather than just trade and economic ties.

✅ India–Africa Relations: 10 Key Points

Historical Connection: Ties between India and Africa date back to ancient maritime trade, Mahatma Gandhi’s stay in South Africa, and shared colonial struggles.
Political Solidarity: India supported African countries during their anti-colonial and anti-apartheid movements, fostering long-term goodwill and diplomatic trust.
India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS): Launched in 2008, the IAFS is the main platform for structured political and economic dialogue between India and African nations.
Trade and Investment: India is one of Africa’s top five trading partners, with trade valued at over $80 billion, spanning energy, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Development Cooperation: India provides Lines of Credit (LoC), capacity building, and human resource development through programs like ITEC and Pan-Africa e-Network.
Energy and Natural Resources: Africa is vital to India’s energy security, with investments in oil, gas, and minerals in countries like Nigeria, Mozambique, and Angola.
Security and Maritime Cooperation: India works with African nations on anti-piracy, terrorism, and maritime security, particularly in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Health and Pharma: India is a key supplier of low-cost generic medicines to Africa, and collaborated with many African nations during the COVID-19 pandemic.
People-to-People Ties: Thousands of African students study in India; cultural exchange and the Indian diaspora in Africa help foster deeper bonds.
China Factor: India faces growing competition from China’s economic footprint in Africa, but promotes a development partnership model based on mutual respect and demand-driven aid.

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