A number of African experts are calling on leaders in the continent to make good use of the opportunities available from the latest commitment by the People’s Republic of China to open up more and share its experience on modernization.
The professionals drawn from various fields and representing multiple organizations spoke in China where they were attending the 7th China-Africa People’s Forum. They noted that the East Asian nation has immense capabilities that will help Africa to fulfill its development needs at a desirable scale and urgency.
“China is quite advanced in terms of technology. As Africans, we can take advantage of their progress. They have been able to come up with new technologies in various areas, like in their industries such as the ones we visited,” said Frankline Mutuma, the Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Public Welfare Management Agency.
To benefit from these technologies, Mutuma says Africa ought to create an environment that is conducive to absorbing them. He says African leaders must borrow a leaf from the Chinese leadership that is very clear in terms of strategy for the next couple of years if the continent must reap maximum benefits from the cooperation.
“For us to benefit from China on this issue of modernization, we need to put our house in order in Africa. We need to have specific plans and clear strategies that can be able to dovetail very well with China’s plans,” he said
Besides being clear in terms of development agendas and overall vision, he says African countries must overcome challenges manifested in leadership and governance. Mutuma argues that Africa most times gives unwarranted focus to politics which makes it impossible to have a clear strategy.
Joseph Kahama, the Secretary General of Tanzania-China Friendship Association holds a similar view. Kahama restates the need for Africa to institutionalize policies.
“In Africa we have a problem, in that when new leaders come, they change everything. Whether a new leader comes or not, you must stick to the policies, stick to the plan. That’s one thing Africa must learn from China,” he said
He says various initiatives sponsored by China can cause great positive change and turn around the economic fortunes of countries in Africa. But he insists nothing will come on a silver platter and Africa must play a role.
“China brought us multilateral initiatives such as GDI, GSI, and GCI. In all these initiatives, China is telling Africa, wake up. We are still available to move with you, but with your conditions, and characteristics. We are not telling you what to do but discuss what we all need for us to work together,”
“These initiatives are all ongoing and our leaders should tap onto them. Africa needs to educate its people in science and technology. Africa needs to give scholarships to its people in science and technology. China has done it, we can do it,” he explained
The president of the International Center for Diplomacy of the Kingdom of Morocco Karima Rhanem also emphasized the need for Africa to get her people the necessary skillset to be able to handle modern tools for economic and social development from China.
“We have to draw our priorities about what we need to do now. Where do we see ourselves in four, five or ten years? For instance, modernization involves bringing robotics, and new technologies. Who is going to utilize them? We have to invest in our people like China has done in order to achieve modernization,” she said
She also spoke of the need to change people’s attitudes especially on their views on development.
“Modernization is also about mindset. We need to catch up. But we cannot catch up without changing our mindset. We need to find a way to deal with people who are resistant to change. Sometimes when you want to craft a new policy or new way of doing business but there is always resistance, and this is where some anti-Chinese propaganda lies,” remarked Karima
Salah Abdel Sadek, a researcher at Egypt-China Friendship Association says Africa must position itself well in order to capitalize on the goodwill extended by China. According to Salah, China now exceeds the US in numerous areas such as the electric cars manufacturing and 5G technology roll out, demonstrating its advancement.
“Most of the African countries are not ready. Yes, they may have some elements but look at the big picture, if we receive the technology now, are we going to benefit from it or its going to be misused? We have to be patient with them. They are doing their own and we have to do our part,” he said
“Our systems, our governments, and the human skills in Africa must be improved,” he reiterated
The African group was in China upon invitation from the International NGOs Network to attend the forum in Changsha, Hunan Province, and later tour various development projects aimed at poverty reduction and rural revitalization, an area where Africa can pick important lessons.
