The African Union (AU) Permanent Representative to China, Ambassador Sarjoh Bah, has called for stronger collaboration between Africa and China aimed at accelerating industrialisation across the continent.
Ambassador Bah made the call during a meeting with a delegation from the Alliance of Chinese Business in Africa for Social Responsibility and the China Chamber of Commerce for Metals, Minerals and Chemicals Importers and Exporters.
The meeting focused on strengthening social responsibility in China-Africa relations and expanding cooperation in key sectors such as critical minerals, energy, infrastructure, technology transfer, and value addition within Africa.
Bah stressed the need for investments that go beyond resource extraction, urging Chinese partners to support initiatives that promote local processing, job creation, and sustainable industrial development across African countries.
He called for greater transfer of knowledge and technology from China to Africa, particularly in high-value agriculture and mineral production, noting that such collaboration would help unlock Africa’s economic potential.
The Chinese delegation highlighted its ongoing initiatives, including the “100 Enterprises, 1000 Villages” programme and a new plan involving over 500 Chinese enterprises focused on implementing social responsibility projects across Africa.
According to the delegation, the initiatives aim to support job creation, environmental protection, and community development in partner countries.
Both sides also discussed the need to address Africa’s energy and infrastructure gaps, which they identified as critical barriers to industrialisation and modern production systems.
Ambassador Bah welcomed China’s zero-tariff policy for products from 53 African countries, describing it as a significant opportunity to boost trade and deepen Africa’s integration into global markets.
The meeting concluded with both parties expressing commitment to strengthening cooperation in ways that support long-term development, industrial growth, and mutually beneficial economic relations between Africa and China.
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