China-Africa cooperation has evolved over the past 24 years.
In 2000, when China and Africa held their first cooperation forum (FOCAC), a commodity boom was under way. China was the world’s biggest buyer of the mineral commodities it needed to fuel its economy. Its approach towards Africa was mostly one of extracting what it wanted.
The 2024 forum takes place under different circumstances, reflected in its theme Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future. China has diversified its engagement in Africa, focusing on sectors such as technology, health and green energy. This reflects a shift from traditional infrastructure projects to more sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation.
