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Tichaona Zindoga, Correspondent
The forthcoming Sadc Summit and the incoming chairmanship of President Mnangagwa, should be a turning point for Sadc-China relations, and spur the two sides in a strategic new path at a time when there are changing global dynamics.
Sadc and China have over the years made a number of tentative steps towards cooperation but this has not been fully consummated.
This article seeks to highlight a number of areas that the two could cooperate, with Sadc harnessing its geopolitical, economic and strategic potential to position itself to forge stronger, mutually beneficial or win-win cooperation with China in different areas.
Sadc comprises 16 countries, 12 continental and four island nations, namely – Angola, Botswana, Comoros, Democratic Republic of Congo, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Of these, only Eswatini, does not have bilateral relations with China, while the rest enjoy cordial relations with Beijing. Approaching China relations as a bloc has so many advantages for the region.
This allows Southern Africa to speak with one voice, and present a unified force based on its potential as a market for Chinese goods, destination for investment as well as geo-strategic and geopolitical ally, contrary to dealing with China as individual countries.
This will come at a time other major powers such as the US and Russia are targeting to pivot to Africa, even so in a divisive way, as seen in the actions of America which has sent worrying vibes in some cases.
There is also the broader context that China already cooperates with African countries within international frameworks and platforms such as United Nations, African Union and Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (Focac) and the Belt and Road Initiative.
Sadc’s realisation of the importance of a unified approach will be critical, not least because China itself has an ongoing interest in establishing relations with regional bodies such as the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas)and has pledged continued support for the body which will be cemented by the construction of the Ecowas headquarters in Abuja, Nigeria, by 2025; while undertaking development projects in the region to enhance connectivity and facilitate trade and investment opportunities.
These, include regional integration and showcasing of projects to attract investments such as construction of the Lagos-Abidjan and Abidjan-Praia highways; linking Nigeria, Ivory Coast and Cape Verde.
The aforementioned Ecowas building — known as ‘The Eye of West Africa’ — is located along the Airport Road in the Nigerian city and is being constructed from a grant from China through the China International Development Cooperation Agency (China Aid).
The US$32 million project is nearing completion and set to be opened by February 2025, according to Nigerian media and is being hailed as “a beacon of hope, embodying our shared values and heritage [between West Africa and China]… a base from which we will continue to make important strides in regional integration, economic growth, and security.”
In East Africa, China made its pioneering Africa regional integration project, the Tazara Railway line linking Tanzania and Zambia through the Democratic Republic of Congo (then known as Zaire) in the 1970s.
Currently, China is set to refurbish the line at a cost of US$1 billion, making it an enduring symbol of China-East Africa cooperation. But that does not end there.
According to the journal, Stanford International Review, China and the East Africa Community (EAC) have cooperation in huge infrastructure projects where China is undertaking financing and construction in transport, information and communications technology (ICT), and energy sectors as well as trade.
Other examples include the construction of Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia and the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya.
According to the journal EAC “has come to realise the important role infrastructure plays in allowing countries to achieve their national development objectives and regional integration” and China as the leading player across Africa in infrastructure development, is doing a lot of work in the region and signed a Framework Agreement with the EAC in November 2011 to focus on promoting, among other things, co-operation in investment and infrastructure development in the region, which would cost about US$80 billion by 2018.
The journal says, “The emphasis on investment in infrastructure projects should not be surprising because it is a sector in which both the EAC and China have great interest.
“Not only has productive infrastructure proven crucial in developing countries’ attempts at industrialisation and, more essentially, diversification, it is also the motor for inclusive economic development, poverty alleviation, and regional integration. Investment in infrastructure — especially connective infrastructure projects — plays a significant role in boosting business confidence and fostering innovation and productivity. Similarly, investment in infrastructure also helps lower transaction costs, making it easier for companies to move labour and products, as well as provide quality services.”
The journal stresses wider cooperation between Beijing and regional economic communities or blocs, stating that in their dealings with external players such as China, regional bodies in Africa are striving to harmonise national infrastructure investment and trade plans within a regional framework, which leads to economies of scale and translates into more affordable prices for businesses and consumers.
This, in turn, brings down production costs and makes Africa more competitive internationally; for example, regional power pools can create continental energy markets with coordinated supply systems and intra-trade could accelerate integration and development efforts across the continent.
“This is exactly what the EAC is trying to achieve in its efforts to involve Beijing,” writers, Samu Ngwenya and Abdou Rahim Lema conclude.
Lagging behind
Over the past decade, Sadc and China have made baby steps to formalise their working relations based on a regional integration model, and delegations from China have interacted with the Sadc Secretariat, headquartered in Botswana, on a few occasions since 2014.
The year 2019 promised to be a turning point when the framework agreement on economy, trade, investment and technical cooperation between SADC and the People’s Republic of China was signed.
The same year, a delegation of the Embassy of China to Botswana and SADC, led by Mr Wang Bangfu, deputy chief of mission, paid a courtesy call on the SADC Secretariat in 2019. The two sides commended the finalisation of the SADC and China framework agreement on economy, trade, investment and technical cooperation which was signed in October 2019 to enhance cooperation on areas of mutual interests, in tandem with the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) action plan outlining cooperation in political, economic, social development, cultural and security areas, as well as the SADC priorities outlined in the Revised RISDP 2015-2020 and the Strategic Indicative Plan for the Organ (SIPO).
Sadc highlighted the need to fast-track operationalisation of the framework agreement to concretise cooperation in a number of areas in which China has comparative advantage, including trade, industrialisation, science and technology, renewable energy, as well as peace and security by among others revisiting potential support towards the establishment of the SADC regional logistics depot.
On his part Mr Wang Bangfu said China valued cooperation with Regional Economic Communities (RECs) as important partners in advancing regional integration agenda, and the government of China is committed to continue cooperating with SADC in a number of areas on the basis of mutually beneficial relationship.
However, not much has moved since then.
This presents an opportunity for Zimbabwe, under President Mnangagwa’s leadership and tenure, to carry the torch forward, and show leadership, especially given his broad understanding of China seen in bilateral relations which are time honoured and date back to the days of the liberation struggle, in recent times. Lately, Zimbabwe under the comprehensive strategic cooperation.
Opportunities for Sadc-China cooperation
A number of areas and imperatives for Sadc-China cooperation abound and it is to be argued strongly that the time to leverage opportunities are now.
A key prism to look at this is to understand that Sadc stands to benefit from China’s modernisation and growth journey and take advantage of the Asian giant’s capacity as the world’s second largest economy.
The areas of cooperation include:
Industrialisation and economic growth
China’s remarkable industrialisation journey can serve as a blueprint for Sadc countries. By partnering with China, Sadc nations can access expertise, technology, and investment to accelerate their own industrialisation processes and undertake joint ventures, technology transfer, and capacity-building initiatives to foster sustainable economic growth.
Infrastructure development
This, probably the most important aspect of development relevant to this developing region, should see Sadc and China in the construction of transport infrastructure (rail, road, air and sea ports), telecommunications.
Peace and security
As Sadc, like all regions of the world, faces evolving security threats, including transnational crime, terrorism, and instability, China can assist in maintaining peace and security and join hands with Southern Africa through collaborating on intelligence-sharing, training, and joint operations and improve regional security architecture.
New areas in non-traditional security domains are also crucial, especially in the digital era where threats of cybersecurity have become a challenge.
Food security, agricultural development and poverty alleviation
The region is stalked by drought and food insecurity due to climate change.
China can assist regional efforts to improve food security. Knowledge exchange on crop diversification, irrigation, and sustainable farming practices as well as investment in agribusiness and infrastructure is important. China offers models on agriculture productivity, poverty alleviation and disaster management.
Further, the two sides can join forces in climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies as well as cooperation on renewable energy, afforestation, and climate resilience.
Energy
China and individual countries such as Zimbabwe and South Africa have cooperated in energy projects.
There is need to scale up to regional levels and policy and actions need to harness cooperation that will enhance regional energy and power security.
China can undertake major hydro, thermal, solar and wind projects and provide solutions to worsening regional power deficits.
The region could align its energy policies with China’s development goals which include promoting clean energy, improving grid infrastructure, and ensuring energy security.
Investment and Funding
China is a major financier of projects globally and it is crucial to harness Chinese investment by the State and private financiers through loans and partnerships.
Human capacity development
China’s modernisation and progress means that it can assist regional countries with skills development and skills transfer with its engineers, operators, and policymakers crucial to Sadc’s own advancement.
Trade
With a population of nearly 400 million people, Sadc offers huge opportunities for trade with China as a bloc.
This must be matched with the establishment of not just harmonious policies but also a whole infrastructure to support such as establishment of trade and logistics corridors that will see, among others logistics hubs, customs facilitation, and streamlined cross-border movement.
Sadc’s trade in goods and services with China needs to grow exponentially for the region to develop, and if balanced, could benefit people from the two sides mutually.
Digital transformation
China’s experience and pro-digital policy should be harnessed in the establishment of a new way of doing business, that is digital, which will enhance e-commerce, knowledge management and development of digital technologies and communications.
Young people, constituting the majority of the population of Africa, including Sadc, remain an untapped resource and need to be streamlined, and involving them in digital transformation projects will be critical.
Zimbabwe’s time
There is a lot of excitement in Harare over hosting the annual regional showpiece.
This enthusiasm and anticipation should be matched with fruitful results and it is critical for the country, and President Mnangagwa to deliver a summit with far-reaching impact. Consummating the relationship with China, and carving out a clear roadmap to engage the Asian giant should be considered by policymakers, with the support of the region, so that Southern Africans can look back at Harare as having led an era-defining partnership with China that will benefit future generations from both sides.
In the context of corrosive influences from countries such as America, which is seeking to divide the region with military influence as well as discriminatory trade frameworks and isolationist policies and sanctions on Zimbabwe – which the region has opposed strongly – carving out sound relations with China is crucial.
And President Mnangagwa is the man to do it, using his chairmanship as a golden chance and legacy statement.
The writer is the founder and director of Ruzivo Media and Resource Centre, a local think tank that specialises in analysing global and local issues with focus on the Global South, particularly China-Africa relations. He can be contacted on [email protected]
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