Bramha Kumar
AGENDA 2063 is the African Union’s 50-year strategic framework (2013–2063) aiming to transform Africa into a global power. The framework envisions an integrated, prosperous, and peaceful continent, driven by its own citizens and characterized by sustainable development, good governance, high living standards, and a strong, united cultural identity. While African Union member states are integrating more closely with each other, they are also exploring partnerships beyond the continent. In such potential partnerships, India emerges as a natural and logical choice given the historical relations, centuries-old people-to-people connections, domestic political stability, dynamic political relations, and growing investment prospects.
Building on this platform, India’s long-standing connection with Africa is evolving and transforming into a strong economic and development partnership with many African countries, including Zimbabwe. The estimated volume of trade between India and Africa stands close to US$100 billion, and Indian investments in African countries are estimated at around US$70–80 billion. Steady trends indicate that India’s spheres of commercial engagement with Africa are moving upward gradually.
Furthermore, post-pandemic geopolitics is moving at a very fast pace, posing various challenges in political and economic realms. India continues to consolidate its position as a key participant in the global political and economic landscapes, supported by sustained policy reforms, targeted industrial incentives, and expanding international trade engagement. Recent progress on multiple Free Trade Agreements and Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreements across Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, Africa, and Latin America reflects India’s strategic focus on diversifying trade partnerships, improving market access, strengthening supply chain resilience, enhancing technical cooperation, and constructing platforms for strong people-to-people connectivity.
Against this background, India will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) from 28 May to 31 May, 2026, in New Delhi, in collaboration with the African Union Commission. The IAFS-IV will bring together leaders from across the African continent and the African Union Commission, along with representatives from regional organizations, to strengthen the enduring India-Africa partnership and lay out a roadmap for further expanding cooperation across diverse sectors.
External Affairs minister Dr S Jaishankar unveiled the logo, theme, and website (www.iafs2026.in) of the IAFS-IV on 23 April 2026 in New Delhi. The Summit will be held under the theme “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation,” reflecting the comprehensive nature of the India-Africa partnership. In the lead-up to the Summit, a series of preparatory meetings will be held, including the India-Africa Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 29 May 2026, preceded by the Senior Officials’ Meeting on 28 May, which will deliberate on key areas of cooperation between India and Africa.
The India-Africa Forum Summit is an important platform for fostering dialogue with African countries and the AU Commission and for advancing mutually beneficial collaboration, guided by the principles of mutual respect, equality, solidarity, and shared prosperity. The last edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit resulted in a major expansion of Indian development assistance and capacity-building programs for Africa.
The upcoming Summit will be a landmark engagement to further cement close ties of friendship and cooperation between India and Africa and to strengthen the partnership under the South-South framework. It will also be an occasion to showcase good governance and inclusive development initiatives developed over the last decade.
India–Africa relations are demand-driven and shaped by African priorities. Cooperation focuses on capacity building, training, education, health, digital public infrastructure, maritime security, and peacekeeping. Importantly, India avoids conditionality that limits policy choices.
This vision is anchored in a landmark moment for India-Africa diplomacy. During his historic address to the Parliament of Uganda in 2018—the first ever by an Indian Prime Minister—Mr. Narendra Modi outlined ten guiding principles for India’s engagement with Africa:
Guiding Principles for India’s Engagement with Africa
- Africa will be at the top of our priorities. We will continue to intensify and deepen our engagement with Africa. As we have shown, it will be sustained and regular.
- Our development partnership will be guided by your priorities. It will be on terms that are comfortable for you, that will liberate your potential and not constrain your future. We will rely on African talent and skills. We will build as much local capacity and create as many local opportunities as possible.
- We will keep our markets open and make it easier and more attractive to trade with India. We will support our industry to invest in Africa.
- We will harness India’s experience with the digital revolution to support Africa’s development; improve delivery of public services; extend education and health; spread digital literacy; expand financial inclusion; and mainstream the marginalized.
- This will not just be our partnership to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals, but also to equip the youth of Africa for their place in the digital age.
- Our partnership will address the challenges of climate change. We will work with Africa to ensure a just international climate order; to preserve our biodiversity; and to adopt clean and efficient energy sources.
- We will strengthen our cooperation and mutual capabilities in combating terrorism and extremism, keeping our cyberspace safe and secure, and supporting the UN in advancing and keeping peace.
- We will work with African nations to keep the oceans open and free for the benefit of all nations. The world needs cooperation, not competition, on the eastern shores of Africa and the eastern Indian Ocean. India’s vision of Indian Ocean Security is cooperative and inclusive, rooted in security and growth for all in the region.
- Africa must not become a theatre of rival ambitions, but rather a nursery for the aspirations of Africa’s youth. As global engagement in Africa increases, we must work together to ensure this.
- Just as India and Africa fought colonial rule together, we will work together for a just, representative, and democratic global order. This order must include a voice and a role for the one-third of humanity that lives in Africa and India. India’s quest for reform in global institutions is incomplete without an equal place for Africa.
India’s engagement with Africa is best understood as a partnership built on shared history, mutual respect, and strategic restraint. India does not approach Africa as a theatre for rivalry or influence competition; instead, it sees Africa as a region of sovereign states whose stability and growth are essential to global security.
India’s development cooperation in Africa also supports long-term security outcomes. Investments in infrastructure, digital connectivity, and human capital reduce the conditions that fuel instability and conflict. India’s approach is notable for its emphasis on local ownership and sustainability. Projects are designed to strengthen national capacity rather than replace it. This reflects India’s own development experience and reinforces its credibility as a partner. The India-Africa Forum Summit 2026 presents a unique and much-awaited platform to connect our aspirations as reflected in the AU’s Agenda 2063 and Viksit Bharat-2047.
Bramha Kumar is India’s ambassador in Zimbabwe.