China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation:
Boosting Value Addition in Africa

By: Yi Xin

During the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held earlier this month, Madagascar’s President Andry Rajoelina hailed the success of hybrid rice in his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping. In fact, hybrid rice has been such a game-changer in Madagasgar’s grain production that it is celebrated on the 20,000 ariary banknote.

Since 2007, China has been working with Madagascar on hybrid rice technology. Now this high-yielding crop has outperformed traditional varieties by two to three times and its cultivation has expanded to 50,000 hectares in Madagascar.

The China-Africa relationship is a deep and multifaceted one. The collaboration on hybrid rice between China and Madagascar epitomizes the extensive agricultural partnership that has been developing since the 1950s. In recent years, China-Africa agricultural collaboration has become more solid, with notable progress in technology transfer, agricultural industrialization and capacity building.

The agricultural sector is among the ten partnership actions for cooperation with Africa announced by Chinese President Xi Jinping at the 2024 FOCAC Summit. What is especially noteworthy about this initiative, officially known as the Partnership Action for Agriculture and Livelihoods, is that China will encourage two-way investment for joint ventures and create at least one million jobs for Africa by helping the continent retain added value from its agricultural products. As a matter of fact, cooperation to bolster local value chains is already yielding fruits in many African countries.

Cassava Cultivation in Nigeria

Cassava cultivation in many African nations has been hindered by challenges such as low productivity and underdeveloped processing capability.

The Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, a global leader in cassava research, has extended its expertise to Nigeria by working with Nigeria National Root Crops Research Institute and sharing sophisticated breeding and cultivation technologies. The collaboration focuses on research, training and the dissemination of best practices.

In Abuja, a modern agricultural demonstration base was established to enhance local cassava production capabilities. It also serves as a hub for regular training workshops on cassava cultivation and processing. As a result, locals have expanded their product range to include cassava-based biscuits, cakes and noodles, which are higher-value products compared to traditional cassava outputs. This initiative is a significant step towards transforming Nigeria’s cassava industry and aligns with the broader goals of China-Africa agricultural cooperation to boost food security and economic development in Africa

Rubber Industry in Côte d’Ivoire

Côte d’Ivoire, a nation rich in natural resources, is the third-largest producer of natural rubber globally.

Historically, Côte d’Ivoire faced limitations in rubber processing, constraining exports to raw rubber, which offers little added value to the farmers. By joining efforts with China’s Mainland Group in 2020, the country has made a pivotal shift toward value addition in the industry.

The Mainland Group put into operation three rubber processing plants in Dabou, Duekoue and San-Pedro of Côte d’Ivoire, which have together generated over 1,600 local jobs and a combined annual processing capacity of approximately 400,000 tons—accounting for one-third of the nation’s rubber output. According to Mr. Dosso Adama, the Côte d’Ivoire Ambassador to China, these facilities have significantly bolstered the country’s rubber production capabilities. They have added substantial value to the industry, spurred local economic growth and brought tangible benefits to the populace.

These are just two examples of how agricultural cooperation helps to retain added value in Africa. The Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027) adopted at the FOCAC Summit aligns with these efforts. It articulates China’s commitment to incentivizing enterprises to engage in comprehensive industrial chain cooperation with Africa, spanning from agricultural and aquaculture production to processing, machinery manufacturing, and logistics. This is designed to assist Africa in extending its industrial chains and amplifying its value creation, and dovetails well with the African Union’s Agenda 2063.

As the world grapples with destructive impacts of climate change and a challenging economic outlook, China-Africa agricultural partnership can be a big boost to food security and economic growth in Africa, and bring lasting benefits to peace, stability and prosperity of the world.

*The author is a Beijing-based observer of international affairs.

China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation:
Boosting Value Addition in Africa

Edo Election: US Calls on Stakeholders to Support Electoral Processes

By: Michael Mike

The United States Embassy has called on all stakeholders in the just ended Edo State gubernatorial election to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results.

A statement by the U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Ambassador Richard Mills Jr. on Tuesday on the just concluded Edo State Governorship election, read: “The U.S. Mission in Nigeria commends the people of Edo State for the widely peaceful conduct of gubernatorial elections on September 21 and reiterates calls for calm following the announcement of results.

“We commend Governor Obaseki’s appeal for peace and urge all stakeholders, including INEC, to support established electoral processes and respect legal procedures to challenge results.”

The Ambassador in the statement insisted that: “Transparency and due process are crucial to maintaining public confidence in any democratic system.

“The United States reaffirms our commitment to supporting free, fair, transparent, and credible elections in Nigeria and will continue to monitor the situation closely.”

Edo Election: US Calls on Stakeholders to Support Electoral Processes

ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion

By: Michael Mike

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on member states to mainstream gender into their trade policies to achieve the objectives of the African Continental Trade (AfCTA), noting that until women, who represents half of the subregion population is fully integrated, the much searched development may continue to be a mirage.

ECOWAS Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, made the plea at the opening of a regional meeting on trade and gender in Abuja on Tuesday.

She said that promoting inclusive subregional trade by empowering women in business was in line with regional approaches and guidelines, as well as international best practices.

Toure-Litse while describing international trade as a powerful driver for wealth creation and development, lamenting that however women representing about 50 per cent of the global workforce is presently facing barriers to participating in it.

She said: “Women-owned businesses often struggle to access export markets, and women workers are overrepresented in low-wage, low-skilled sectors.

“Trade policies frequently overlook gender-specific needs and perspectives, exacerbating existing inequalities.@

She said that addressing these disparities was crucial for promoting inclusive and equitable trade practices, unlocking the potential of women entrepreneurs and workers, and ensuring that international trade benefited all.

She added that: “However, increased trade supported by discriminatory trade policies is acknowledged to be a catalyst for the possible widening of the inequality gap between men and women involved in trade.

“According to UN Women, it is estimated that 70 per cent of informal cross-border trade in Africa is conducted by women traders.

“I am pleased to note that ECOWAS has already developed several community texts and initiatives to promote gender-inclusive trade.

“These efforts align with our commitment to deepening regional integration and accelerating development through inclusive trade.”

She however urged participants drawn from ECOWAS member countries, to share their expertise and constructively discuss the issue of gender mainstreaming in trade to enrich the ECOWAS draft action plan on trade and gender.

Toure-Litse noted that: “A well-crafted action plan will definitely contribute to achieving the Vision 2050, AfCTA, the AU Agenda 2063 as well as the Sustainable Development Goals.”

She said the entry into force of AfCFTA had culminated in great opportunities for increased intra-African trade, and solicited necessary steps for it to provide equal opportunities for men and women.

“In this regard, the regional AfCFTA implementation strategy aims to achieve objectives such as gender equality and structural transformation of state parties.

“Specifically, the strategy aims to contribute to positive gender and youth impact of AfCFTA through women and youth led-business activities, employment and social protection as well as informal cross-border traders,” she added.

Declaring the event opened, Nigeria’s Minister of Trade and Industry, Doris Uzoka-Anite, said that mainstreaming gender in regional trade policies would lead to creating a prosperous and equitable trade.

Represented by the ministry’s Director, Special Duties, Dr Simon Ozomo, the minister said that gender trade mainstreaming was in line with the Federal Government’s trade facilitation policy.

ECOWAS Calls for Mainstreaming Gender into Trade Policy to Boost Development of West Africa Subregion