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Zimbabwe’s Admission to the BRICS Bank: A New Stage for African Development and Fiscal Sovereignty

Zimbabwe's admission to the New Development Bank (BRICS Bank) marks a milestone for the country's economic future and Africa's development ambitions. But what opportunities does membership really bring, and how could it reshape infrastructure, investment and regional cooperation? Read our latest analysis by Ayanda Holo, President of TV BRICS AFRICA, as he explores why this decision could be a turning point for Zimbabwe and the continent.

Building Bridges, Powering Futures

In a world increasingly defined by connectivity, my journey reflects the transformative power of language, opportunity and international cooperation. I am an Angolan civil engineering graduate, a former international student in China, and today a contributor to one of Africa’s most ambitious clean energy projects. My story is not just personal, but a window into the evolving partnership between China and Africa, and the role young people play in shaping that future.

A Harmonious Fusion

Long regarded as a symbol of China’s sartorial heritage, the mamian skirt is now enjoying growing success far beyond China’s borders. Across Africa, it is gradually making its mark on catwalks, at family ceremonies and even in everyday settings.

Paving the Way

The Lilongwe-Mzuzu Road is part of Malawi’s M1 Road, which extends as far as Karonga in the Northern Region and Nsanje in the Southern Region. The potholes are a national headache caused by a raft of factors, including poor workmanship and heavy rains. China came to the rescue by offering to construct the stretch of road from Crossroads to Kanengo, a 12-km dual carriageway, through a grant of 44 billion Malawi kwacha (about $25 million). The construction, undertaken by Shandong Luqiao Group Ltd., began on 28 December 2021 and was officially handed over on 10 April this year.

A Different Kind of Gold Rush

Since Chinese traders began expanding across South Africa in the early 2000s, they have built networks that reach well beyond retail, supporting logistics companies, security services, maintenance contractors and global supply chains. The growth of these hubs has generated a significant multiplier effect across the broader economy.

Kigali Goes Electric

Rwanda’s shift towards electric mobility began not with private vehicles but with public transport. BasiGo, a Kenya-based company, introduced Chinese-manufactured electric buses into Kigali’s transport network after earlier operations in Nairobi. “We choose China because it leads in battery technology,” Managing Director Doreen Orishaba said during a recent press conference.

Building Bonds Beyond Borders

In recent years, Ningbo has become an increasingly important hub for China-Africa cooperation. The city now has seven sister cities in Africa, while Ningbo-Zhoushan Port has become a key platform for China-Africa maritime cooperation.

Building Resilience Through Cooperation

An official conducts an inspection of the operation of sprinkler irrigation equipment in an alfalfa field at the China-assisted livestock technology demonstration centre in the village of Idini, Mauritania, on 18 July 2025 (XINHUA)

From Reader to Author

The novel Hades’ Cursed Luna won WebNovel’s Highly Acclaimed Reader Favourite Award in 2025. Its author is not Chinese, but a young woman from Nigeria named Esther Toluwase Akande. Her journey reflects a growing phenomenon across Africa, where a new generation of readers is discovering Chinese online literature and, increasingly, becoming authors themselves.

Enduring Tides, Rising Bonds

Over the past seven decades, despite profound changes in the international landscape, China and Africa have consistently stood together, overcome difficulties side by side, and advanced cooperation in a sustained manner. This enduring partnership has not only delivered tangible benefits to both sides but also set an important example of South–South cooperation and contributed significantly to the evolution of international relations.

China, Africa and the Shared Pursuit of Modernisation

As the world undergoes a historic shift towards greater multipolarity, China stands at the forefront of a new Global South consciousness. Nowhere is this more evident than in its relationship with Africa, a partnership that has evolved from solidarity in anti-colonial struggles into one of the most consequential development partnerships of the 21st century.

2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference & High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance and the World AI Cooperation Organization

The 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance, held in Shanghai from 17–20 July, brought together world leaders, policymakers, scientists and industry leaders to discuss the future of artificial intelligence and international AI governance. Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered the keynote address, outlining China's vision for an open, secure, inclusive and globally coordinated AI ecosystem. A major outcome of the conference was the establishment of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), the world's first intergovernmental AI organization headquartered in Shanghai. South Africa, represented by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Prof. Blade Nzimande, became one of the founding members after signing the agreement establishing the organization. President Xi also announced new initiatives to support developing countries, including AI training opportunities, international AI cooperation centers involving BRICS and the African Union, and expanded access to AI-powered meteorological warning systems.

China's Zero Tariff Policy Creates New Export Opportunities for South Africa After Paul Mashatile's China Visit

China's decision to extend zero-tariff market access to 53 African countries has created one of the most significant trade opportunities for the continent in recent years. For South Africa, the question is no longer whether the opportunity exists, but whether the country is positioned to take advantage of it. Deputy President Paul Mashatile's Working Visit to China focused on exactly that. From meetings with senior Chinese leaders to engagements with global manufacturers and technology companies, the visit centered on expanding market access, attracting investment, and strengthening South Africa's industrial base. Could this mark a turning point for South Africa's exports, manufacturing sector, and role within BRICS? Which industries are best placed to benefit, and what must happen next to translate diplomatic engagements into economic growth?

The Bridges of Words

China’s journey in teaching African languages began in the 1960s as part of broader efforts to foster understanding between China and newly independent African nations. As noted in BFSU’s Institute of African Studies archives, these programmes aimed to “cultivate talents in traditional African languages and better understand Africa’s ancient history and rich culture.”

Harvesting Opportunity

China’s newly implemented zero-tariff policy has opened the vast Chinese consumer market to Zimbabwe’s smallholder farmers, spurring rural industrialisation and job creation. The landmark policy, effective 1 May, grants duty-free access to all products from 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China, placing Zimbabwe among 20 non-least-developed nations in Africa now enjoying duty-free access to the world’s second-largest economy. Least-developed African countries have enjoyed the same access since December 2024.

Opening Doors

Launched in December 2023 on the UNIVEN campus, the GTCI started recruiting Chinese language students in March 2024. Since its launch, the institute has not only taught students Chinese but also increased their curiosity about China and its culture, encouraging them to deepen their understanding of China through people-to-people exchanges.

Business Community Heeds Hunger Call

Hearing the Malawian government’s appeal to humanitarian organisations and other partners to help to address the dire situation, the Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Malawi stepped up. Made up of Chinese-owned businesses in Malawi, the chamber donated 100 million MWK ($57,840) to DoDMA to support the country’s Lean Season Food Insecurity Response programme. The donation was divided into two parts: 80 million MWK ($46,270) worth of maize and 20 million MWK ($11,570) in cash.

Green Bus Boom

Uganda has started manufacturing electric buses after getting assistance from China, with the first 100 buses having rolled off the factory floor. The development is taking place in the industrial city of Jinja, where Ugandan electric vehicle company Kiira Motors Corp. (KMC) has opened a new factory. The country’s Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation Monica Musenero said this project could not have been possible without support from Chinese engineers and companies.

Of Models and Methods

At the Yingjie Overseas Exchange Centre of Peking University in Beijing on 29 April, 82 national flags lined the stage as the Institute of South-South Cooperation and Development (ISSCAD) marked its 10th anniversary, symbolising the institute’s connections with students from 82 countries over the past decade.

Rural Revitalisation, Ground Up

How did China lift hundreds of millions of people out of poverty in just a few decades? Is China’s poverty alleviation success merely a collection of impressive statistics? Or just another development slogan? Neither, I would argue. Over the past nine years, I have been to more than 60 villages in China, from cave dwellings on the Loess Plateau to tea gardens in the water towns of south China, from Miao villages in the southwestern mountains to oases of the northwestern Gobi Desert. I have lived with villagers, worked side by side with grassroots cadres and witnessed the vivid practice of China’s rural transformation. What I saw was not a miracle, but a systematic, people-centred and deeply rooted approach to development.

A Shared Vision for Prosperity

For decades, poverty in Africa has been framed as one of the world’s most difficult and enduring challenges. Across global discussions, economic forums and development agendas, the continent has often been viewed through the lens of aid dependency, inequality and underdevelopment. Yet while much of the world continues to debate solutions to poverty, one country has already achieved what many once believed was impossible. China has lifted nearly 800 million people out of extreme poverty over the last four decades, delivering one of the largest economic and social transformations in modern history. Today, as Africa searches for sustainable pathways towards inclusive growth, the conversation is increasingly shifting from traditional aid models towards long-term economic cooperation, infrastructure investment, industrialisation and strategic development partnerships. In that discussion, China’s experience is becoming impossible to ignore.

Tailored Path for Development

People often ask me what the secret of Chinese modernisation is. My answer has always been “seeking truth from facts.” This is not merely a philosophical slogan but the foundation of my lifelong academic research. It is an economic methodology that can be tested and learned. As the Western-dominated “Washington Consensus” has failed in many places and many developing countries continue to struggle with stagnation, China’s successful practice may offer the world an alternative path.

Things Fall into Place

There are moments in history when events that once appeared isolated begin to reveal themselves as part of a larger civilizational pattern. What seemed fragmented suddenly aligns. Political shifts, economic integration, cultural awakenings, and geopolitical realignments begin moving in concert. In Africa today, things are falling into place. The emergence of the African Continental Free Trade Area(AfCFTA) is an economic arrangement and a bureaucratic trade mechanism that is the material expression of a deeper continental awakening, the consolidation of an African consciousness that has endured centuries of conquest, extraction,division, and misrepresentation. It represents the return of agency to a continent that has too often been described by others instead of defining itself. Article by Kirtan Bhana, The Diplomatic Society

Gates Wide Open

China-Africa trade is set to see a significant boost starting 1 May this year, when China begins the implementation of its zero-tariff treatment to 53 African countries that have diplomatic relations with China. The implementation decision was announced in Chinese President Xi Jinping’s congratulatory message to the 39th African Union Summit in February. He also outlined further measures to support African exports to China, including the upgrading of the “green channel” for African goods - referring to streamlined customs procedures and reduced requirements. The significance of the zero-tariff policy cannot be overstated. Speaking to the media on the sidelines of the summit, UN Secretary General António Guterres praised the policy and urged other developed and major economies to follow suit. “Africa needs free trade for its goods, and Africa cannot be penalised, as a continent facing significant economic challenges, by restrictive trade policies and tariffs that undermine competitiveness,” he said.

Breaking Barriers, Building Bridges

China’s zero-tariff policy for African countries has prompted extensive reflection among policymakers and analysts across the continent. While each viewpoint highlights different priorities, collectively they point to a coherent vision: translating market access into long-term development, industrial upgrading and more balanced trade. The following is an edited summary of three viewpoints.

Trade Without Barriers

“With this tariff relief, Africa is better positioned to participate more fully in the global market, increase export volumes, diversify its export basket, and drive domestic value addition,” said Kelvin Chisanga, a social economist based in Lusaka. Chisanga described the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent of tariff lines for 53 African countries that have diplomatic ties with China as a “gateway” for African production.

Reshaping China-Africa Trade

Trade between China and Africa is receiving a major boost this year as the two sides celebrate the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. In February, China announced that, starting from 1 May, it will extend zero-tariff treatment across all tariff lines to 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic ties. At the same time, China will continue to advance the conclusion of Economic Partnership Agreements for Shared Development and upgrade “green channels” and other facilitation measures aimed at further expanding market access for African exports. Since 1 December 2024, China has granted zero-tariff treatment to 100 percent of tariff lines for all least developed countries with diplomatic relations with China, including 33 African nations. In June 2025, China further clarified that it would extend this arrangement to 53 African partner countries through the negotiation of innovative free trade agreements. The 20 newly included countries include South Africa, Egypt, Algeria and Ethiopia, among others.

A Strategic Breakthrough for Modernisation

China’s zero-tariff initiative has become a hallmark of China-Africa cooperation in the new era. As an important step in China’s push for unilateral opening up, the initiative demonstrates the country’s willingness to assume greater international responsibilities while reaffirming its commitment to advancing high-standard openness. With the launch of the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030), the accelerated implementation of zero-tariff measures signals China’s firm resolve to deepen opening up through concrete policy action. As China and Africa pursue modernisation and build an all-weather community with a shared future, the zero-tariff policy serves as both a catalyst and a practical instrument for driving shared development.

The Logic of Development

Through frequent participation in China-Ethiopia political exchanges and policy dialogues, I grew increasingly curious about China’s development trajectory. Like Ethiopia, China was also a large developing country with intricate governance challenges. But China achieved remarkable economic growth in just a few decades, while maintaining policy continuity and strong implementation capacity. What struck me most was that the governing philosophy of “people-centred development” in China was not just rhetoric; it was firmly embedded in governance. It is put into practice through structured systems of cadre selection, rigorous discipline and a highly effective policy execution process. The Five-Year Plans exemplify this approach, combining long-term vision with practical adaptability by testing ideas and scaling up those that succeed. These observations reshaped my understanding of how developing countries might pursue modernisation paths suited to their own conditions.

Agri-Food Sector Sets Sail

Most of the fish on our plates today doesn’t come from the coastal farms of old. Coastal areas, once full of promise, are now saturated, sometimes polluted, and subject to increasingly strict environmental limits. With population growth and rising global demand for marine protein, pressure on these limited areas is intensifying. To meet these challenges, the agri-food sector is looking beyond the shore, with offshore aquaculture emerging as a strategic and innovative solution. China, a global leader in aquaculture for decades, is driving this transformation.

Turning the Tide

In 2014, China signed a memorandum of understanding on the prevention and treatment of schistosomiasis in Zanzibar at the World Health Assembly, pledging to provide financial and technical support for Tanzania in that regard. In 2017, the first batch of experts from the Jiangsu Institute of Parasitic Diseases of China was dispatched to Pemba Island to help local people to fight the disease. To date, 34 experts have been dispatched to carry out schistosomiasis control work on the island.

Unbreakable Bonds

From 24 to 31 March, Mohamed Ayib Salim Daffé, Secretary General of PASTEF, Senegal’s ruling party, led a delegation of senior officials on a visit to China. The two sides held in-depth discussions on governance, economic cooperation and sporting events. Following the visit, he talked to ChinAfrica to share his views on the development of Sino-Senegalese and Sino-African relations on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Africa and the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges.

The Fires of Industry Must Burn Again

By Ayanda Holo, President of BRICS AFRICA CHANNEL In the cold industrial winds of Saldanha Bay, the furnaces still seem to remember. They recall the roar of production, the first whistle of the shift, trucks loaded with mineral wealth, and livelihoods built on the dignity of work. Now, ahead of the 2026 Budget Vote of the Department of Electricity and Energy, South Africa faces a defining choice: allow its industrial fires to cool for good, or reignite them, using energy policy not just for survival, but as the decisive lever for economic renewal and national dignity. Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa arrives at this moment carrying more than a budget vote speech. He carries the burden of a country that knows a hard truth: electricity is not just power. It is production. Production is jobs. Jobs and transformed assets and ownership are dignity. The department’s Budget Vote program points to a deliberate shift, one that reconnects energy policy to industrial expansion, beneficiation, manufacturing revival, and economic sovereignty. In Saldanha Bay, that shift was given human and industrial meaning.

South Africa Advances Inclusive Energy Access Through Clean Cooking Initiative in North West

South Africa has launched the Easigas Clean Cooking Initiative (ECCI 2030) in Mogwase and Moruleng, North West Province, advancing commitments from the G20 Johannesburg Summit 2025 under the Energy Transitions & Energy Access portfolio. The initiative brings clean LPG energy to rural communities, replacing harmful fuels and improving health, safety, and economic opportunities. Driven by collaboration, Amani Africa & Hakem Energies, Easigas, the project highlights a scalable, community-based model for inclusive energy access and sustainable development in South Africa.

Telling the China-Africa Story

During this year’s Two Sessions, Fortune Abang had the opportunity to ask a question to China’s foreign minister at a press conference. On behalf of African journalists, the chief correspondent with the News Agency of Nigeria asked about the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. This was not the first high-profile event that Abang has covered. From the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) to the Two Sessions, and from factories to local communities, he has used his reporting to narrate the real stories of China-Africa friendship and cooperation. Recently, Abang sat down with ChinAfrica for an interview, sharing his observations on Chin and China-Africa relations through the eyes of a journalist with many years of experience in China.

Tales of Connection Across Continents

On World Book Day, which falls on 23 April, readers around the globe are reminded of the simple joy of opening a book. Established by UNESCO, the annual observance encourages people to discover the pleasure and power of books. But for regions beyond immediate reach, including parts of Africa, reading can also serve as a first encounter, a journey to places one has never physically visited. Three Chinese individuals have each forged deep personal and intellectual connections with Africa through their writing or travel. Diplomat and Arabic scholar Wu Fugui has brought Chinese readers closer to the world described by the 14th-century Moroccan traveller Ibn Battouta through his research. Writer Cai Xiao explores the lives of Chinese people working across Africa in his fiction. Travel enthusiast Wu Luanjin, now based in Côte d’Ivoire, retraces the landscapes once described by Albert Schweitzer, offering Chinese audiences on social media a more nuanced image of the continent through lived experience. On the occasion of World Book Day, ChinAfrica invited the three to narrate how words and stories became their pathways to Africa.

Space industry of BRICS countries: technological cooperation and projects of global scale

BRICS countries are accelerating cooperation in space exploration, moving towards a unified Space Council to support large-scale missions to the Moon and deep space. By pooling resources, infrastructure, and expertise, the bloc aims to reduce costs, strengthen technological capabilities, and build an alternative global model of space governance—despite challenges in standardization and coordination.

Here’s to Friendship and Health

China recently made a significant donation of medicine and equipment to the China-Uganda Friendship Hospital in Naguru, which was handed over by Tang Min, head of the 25th batch of the Chinese medical team, at a ceremony held at the hospital attended by officials from the Chinese Embassy in Uganda on 19 November 2025. It forms part of a long-standing cooperation between the two countries to improve health care in Uganda. The hospital’s management, and the government at large, expressed gratitude for the timely and helpful contribution.

Making a Difference

“We receive hundreds of potential Chinese investors every week who are ready to explore an array of investment opportunities in the country,” Amon Murwira, Zimbabwe’s minister of foreign affairs and international trade, told ChinAfrica. According to Zimbabwe’s The Herald newspaper, around 500 Chinese investors registered in the country in 2025, pledging investments of about $2.5 billion - over one-third of which is in manufacturing. The newspaper said most of these investments are focused on the mining and manufacturing sectors, highlighting the country’s growing appeal as a prime investment destination.

Rising with the Wind

The Longyuan wind power farm in De Aar is the first wind energy plant in Africa to be developed, constructed and operated by Longyuan South Africa, a wholly owned subsidiary of CHN Energy Investment Group’s Longyuan Power Group Corp. Ltd. Since its completion in 2017, the project has become the largest operational wind farm on the continent. Its towering turbines capture the region’s steady winds, earning the Northern Cape a reputation as a renewable energy hotspot.

Commerce Without Constraints

China is committed to strengthening its trade cooperation with African countries. The tariff exemption, effective from 1 May, will apply to exports from all African countries with diplomatic relations with China. However, analysts note that the new policy will only boost trade if African countries undertake the necessary reforms.

BRICS trade turnover: a new trade reality

BRICS trade has surpassed US$1 trillion, marking a major shift in global economic power and South–South cooperation. With increased use of local currencies, expanding trade corridors, and deeper economic integration, BRICS+ is rapidly emerging as a dominant global trading bloc. As member states strengthen partnerships across energy, agriculture, manufacturing and technology, the future of global trade is being reshaped beyond traditional Western-led systems. Article Credit: TV BRICS

91-Year-Old South African Jazz Legend Abdullah Ibrahim Delivers Historic, Must-See Performance at Cape Town Jazz Festival 2026

At 91, South African jazz icon Abdullah Ibrahim delivered a breathtaking and historic performance at the Cape Town International Jazz Festival 2026. Performing on the intimate Rosies Stage, the legendary pianist captivated audiences with a deeply reflective set that blended timeless compositions with emotive improvisation. The moment marked a return to his hometown roots, celebrating decades of musical excellence while reinforcing his global influence. His performance stood out as a defining highlight of CTIJF 2026, showcasing the enduring power of African jazz on the world stage. Watch more cultural highlights on BRICS AFRICA CHANNEL via SABC+ and digital platforms.

BRICS Payment System

BRICS is moving closer to launching an independent payment system aimed at strengthening trade and reducing reliance on traditional global financial structures. Rather than rushing into a single currency, the bloc is prioritising a payment platform based on national currencies. Leaders including Vladimir Putin and Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva have emphasised a cautious approach, given economic differences among member states. With intra-BRICS trade surpassing US$1 trillion, experts say a new system could include: Digital clearing mechanisms A shared unit of account (possibly linked to currencies or gold) A clearing centre via the New Development Bank A payment system could emerge as early as 2026, with a full platform expected by 2029–2030. If implemented, it could boost trade by 8–10% annually and strengthen BRICS as a major global economic force.

An Arithmetic of Sharing

China’s policy to grant zero-tariff treatment to imports from the 53 African nations with diplomatic ties will go into effect on 1 May this year. This initiative, which Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi likened to an arithmetic operation during this year’s Two Sessions, marks a further step in China’s efforts to boost imports from Africa. By removing tariff barriers, China aims to boost trade, multiply benefits for the people, and help Africa to access the enormous opportunities of the Chinese market, Wang said. Behind this simple arithmetic lies not only a strategic response to an increasingly uncertain global landscape, but also a tangible step towards realising the vision of a China-Africa community with a shared future.

Training Talent for Tomorrow

A colourful ceremony marking yet another milestone in burgeoning China-Cameroon cooperation was held on 13 January in Yaoundé. Witnessed by senior officials from both countries, Cameroon’s Ministry of Higher Education (MINESUP) and China First Highway Engineering Company (CFHEC) signed a framework agreement focused on skills development. Jacques Fame Ndongo, minister of state for higher education, and Zhao Zongzhi, director general of CFHEC, attended the event. The main objective of the agreement is to strengthen the skills of young people in Cameroon. To this end, MINESUP and CFHEC have agreed to collaborate in training professionals who are ready to enter the workforce upon graduation and able to meet labour market needs.

Green Field Revival

A 2-acre (0.8 hectare) organic farm in east Uganda is emerging as an unlikely testing ground for climate-resilient agriculture, youth entrepreneurship and South-South knowledge exchange. The project is led by Nabirye Sarah, a young Ugandan journalist turned entrepreneur whose training through a China-Africa cooperation programme has enabled her to blend Chinese agricultural expertise with local realities. Her work offers a glimpse into how sustainable farming models can take root far beyond their place of origin.

CMG Hosts “China in Springtime” Dialogue in Cape Town

China Media Group (CMG) hosted the “China in Springtime: China’s Development Opportunities for the World” dialogue at the Castle of Good Hope in Cape Town, bringing together leaders from business, academia, and media across China and Africa. The event highlighted outcomes from China’s 2026 Two Sessions, including the 15th Five-Year Plan, a 4.5%–5% GDP growth target, and new opportunities driven by innovation in AI, technology, and emerging industries. Speakers emphasized China–Africa cooperation, cultural exchange, and the importance of global collaboration over fragmentation in addressing today’s challenges. The dialogue forms part of a global series promoting shared development, innovation, and mutual learning among civilizations.

Bridging Dreams, Building Futures

Zimbabwe’s development has long faced obstacles linked to Western economic sanctions, measures that many view as unjust or unlawful. Yet, despite these constraints, Zimbabwe remains a nation rich in natural resources and endowed with a highly educated population, with its youth standing out as a particularly dynamic force. ChinAfrica spoke with Monica Mpambawashe, executive editor of Zimbabwe Now, to learn about the growing influence of young Zimbabweans in shaping the country’s future. In the conversation, she highlights how youth are driving innovation and launching new enterprises in the face of adversity, how they view opportunities for international cooperation, and the crucial role the media can play in amplifying youth voices and supporting their development.

Melodies Connecting Cultures

Sing for Africa aims to uncover African musical talent through a competitive format while promoting cultural exchange between China and Africa. Combining local creativity with international cooperation, the programme has evolved into more than just a television show. It demonstrates how cultural exchanges can be realised through popular media. As the third anniversary of the Global Civilisation Initiative approaches, cultural collaborations involving young people and popular art forms are receiving increasing attention. Programmes like Sing for Africa exemplify this type of cultural collaboration. Instead of imposing a pre-designed television format, the show adapts a Chinese media concept to the local context, guided by African creativity and artistic traditions.

Cultivating Mutual Respect

A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full blossom bring spring to the garden. “Together we can make the garden of world civilisations colourful and vibrant,” Chinese President Xi Jinping said during the CPC in Dialogue with World Political Parties High-Level Meeting on 15 March 2023. It was at this meeting that he, for the first time, introduced the Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI), urging respect for the diversity of civilisations, recognition of humanity’s common values, preservation and innovation of cultural traditions, and deeper international people-to-people exchanges and cooperation.

Preserving the Past, Shaping the Future

There is no better way to appreciate the unique character of Chinese modernisation than by spending 10 years fully immersed in the country. I arrived in China from Madagascar in 2016 as a student and have lived and worked here ever since. This experience has given me a profound firsthand insight into the country. Chinese modernisation has clearly become one of the most innovative development models in the contemporary world. Instead of marking a sharp departure from the past, it reflects an ongoing process in which tradition and modernity exist together and remain deeply intertwined.

Fuelling a Green Leap

Each spring, China’s largest political gathering, the Two Sessions, brings together the National People’s Congress and the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference to set the nation’s broad policy direction for the year. A key highlight of this year’s Two Sessions is to adopt the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-2030). The plan stands out for its strong emphasis on high-quality development and provides a detailed framework to guide China’s economic, social and environmental priorities over the next five years. A key focus of the plan is a green transition across all sectors, essential for China’s modernisation, the creation of a “beautiful China” and the promotion of a shared global future. The 2026 Two Sessions coincide with the 70th anniversary of China-Africa friendship. To celebrate this milestone, both sides have highlighted a renewed commitment to the goal of building an all-weather China-Africa community with a shared future, even amid unprecedented global challenges, including climate change.

China’s Economic Roadmap and Opportunities for Africa

A very significant event in China’s political calendar is underway in Beijing and, as usual, it is more than optics. The fourth sessions of the 14th National People’s Congress (NPC) and the 14th National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, the country’s top legislative and advisory bodies, will set the course for China’s direction over the year and beyond. Commonly known as the Two Sessions and held annually, the meetings represent an institutional expression of China’s consultative and inclusive political process and reflect in concrete terms its “whole-process people’s democracy,” where institutional procedures are organically linked to substantive delivery through tangible and practical outcomes. Rooted in China’s national conditions and social realities, the NPC and CPPCC have evolved into central pillars of the country’s governance and important platforms for political consultation and policy coordination in China’s contemporary governance process.

Africa’s First Utility-Scale Battery Project Keeps Worcester Powered

In the early hours of the morning in Worcester, South Africa, dairy farmers and factories rely on a steady flow of electricity to keep operations running. Today, that reliability is being strengthened by Africa’s first utility-scale battery energy storage system (BESS), developed by Eskom. The HEX Battery Energy Storage facility, located in the Western Cape, can store 100 megawatt-hours of energy and deliver up to five hours of uninterrupted power, helping stabilise supply during peak demand and supporting renewable energy from wind and solar. Backed by a $57.67 million investment from the Clean Technology Fund through the African Development Bank, the project is already drawing global attention as a model for how battery storage can support energy security across Africa. Beyond keeping farms and businesses running, the success of the Worcester facility is influencing energy policy across the continent, with several countries now exploring similar technologies as part of their renewable energy transition. Read the full story to discover how this pioneering project is reshaping Africa’s energy future.

Rio Tinto approves Zulti South investment of R8.5 billion [US$473 million] and lifts project suspension

Rio Tinto has approved a R8.5 billion (US$473 million) investment in the Zulti South project at Richards Bay Minerals, lifting a suspension in place since 2020. The development will extend the mine’s life to 2050 and secure continued production of zircon, rutile and ilmenite. China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) has been appointed as EPC contractor. Construction begins in Q1 2026, with commercial production expected in Q4 2028.

South Africa 2026 Budget: Key Reforms, Infrastructure Investment and BRICS Implications

South Africa’s 2026 Budget marks a turning point in fiscal recovery, with debt stabilising for the first time in 17 years and major investments channelled into infrastructure, energy reform and logistics. The Budget strengthens South Africa’s role within BRICS and the Global South by improving investment confidence, modernising the financial system and supporting regional integration under AfCFTA.

AI Transforms Banking Security Across South Africa, China & Russia

Banks in South Africa, China, and Russia are using similar AI technologies to combat fraud and improve financial security, according to Aleksey Zaytsev of the Skoltech–Sberbank Applied Research Laboratory in an interview with TV BRICS. South African banks invested over R20 million in AI systems in 2024, reflecting a global trend rather than a unique breakthrough. A key tool is graph neural networks, which analyse client connections and transaction patterns to detect suspicious activity, even in new fraud scenarios. AI is also being used to personalise financial services, including tailored loans and dynamic insurance pricing. However, regulators warn of risks, including data privacy concerns and algorithmic bias, and South Africa’s FSCA is preparing regulatory frameworks for responsible AI use in banking.

Afreximbank and DBSA Launch Game‑Changing Trade Finance Pact to Fast‑Track Intra‑African Trade

At Mining Indaba 2026 in Cape Town, Afreximbank and the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) signed a landmark Master Risk Participation Agreement (MRPA) to rapidly scale trade finance across Africa. The partnership aims to de-risk cross-border transactions, unlock industrialisation, and strengthen regional value chains—especially in the critical minerals sector. By creating a standing risk-sharing framework, the MRPA enables faster, larger deployment of affordable trade finance, supporting AfCFTA implementation, beneficiation, and local processing. The agreement is expected to boost intra-African trade, create jobs, and help African economies move up the value chain from raw extraction to manufacturing and exports.

Bilateral Trade Gets a Boost

Stanbic Bank Zimbabwe is strategically positioning itself as a critical bridge for Zimbabwe’s local businesses, seeking to navigate the vast and complex Chinese market. The initiative leverages the bank’s unique partnerships and deep expertise to guide Zimbabwean companies through the intricacies of importing from and exporting to China, and is in response to the growing economic ties between Zimbabwe and China.

Flowing Into a Better Life

In Bom Jesus Municipality, a cool breeze drifts in from the Kwanza River, softening the edges of a town marked by landmarks such as António Agostinho Neto International Airport. Yet beneath Luanda’s scenic façade, daily life for many residents is defined by a persistent struggle for water. A major water project being carried out by the Power Construction Corp. of China, or PowerChina, could soon help to bring this long-standing struggle to an end.

Chilli Market Heats Up

After securing a market for their dried red chilli peppers in China, elated farmers in Uganda are expanding the spicy crop cultivation to thousands of acres. China’s increasing appetite for international cuisine and spices has created a most welcome demand for high-quality chillies. And given Uganda’s unique climate and soil conditions that allow for diverse chilli varieties, the East African country has a competitive edge. This has led to Uganda and China now having trade agreements in place, facilitating exports.

Gearing Up for the Games

The Dakar 2026 YOG carry a strong symbolic ambition, embodied by their motto “Africa welcomes, Dakar celebrates.” Host Senegal sees the event as a catalyst for its influence, the modernisation of its infrastructure, and the mobilisation of its youth. China has emerged as Senegal’s leading international partner in ensuring the event’s success. This support extends beyond the sporting arena and strengthens the increasingly important relationship between China and Senegal.

Paving Pathways to Progress

From lecture halls in Beijing to villages in the mountains of southwest China, a group of young rural innovators from Global South countries recently embarked on a journey that connected policy thinking, technological practice and lived rural experience.

Collaborative Approaches to Poverty Reduction

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030, adopted by all United Nations member states in 2015, are facing a range of challenges. Factors such as climate change, regional conflicts and economic recession are having a significant impact, particularly on global poverty governance. As a platform for dialogue, exchange and technical cooperation, the 2025 International Seminar on Global Poverty Reduction Partnerships was held in Beijing on 10 December 2025.

Towards a Cooperative Global Future

As we enter the year 2026, the international system continues to receive shocks from Donald Trump, arguably the 21st century’s most disruptive US leader. His return to the White House in 2025 coincided with the 80th anniversary of the defeat of fascism and the establishment of the United Nations, the multilateral platform that carried the world’s hope for peace, restraint and collective security. The coincidence was unsettling. A world order designed to limit power now confronts a moment in which power is exercised openly, transactionally and unapologetically.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: BRICS could play key role in shaping Greater Eurasian Partnership

In an exclusive interview with TV BRICS, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reflected on BRICS’ growing influence in a shifting multipolar world, highlighting the bloc’s role in promoting fairer global governance and alternative financial mechanisms. He outlined priorities for India’s 2026 BRICS chairmanship, including security cooperation, innovation, energy and food security, and digital governance, while reaffirming BRICS’ commitment to equality, sovereignty, and sustainable development.

Intercultural dialogue and diplomacy: Why BRICS becomes foundation for new type of international relations?

Originally formed as an economic bloc, BRICS has evolved into a platform where cultural, educational, and humanitarian cooperation play a vital role in strengthening long-term unity. Experts highlight that the group’s civilisational diversity is not a weakness but a strength, fostering mutual interest, trust, and shared identity. Through cultural exchanges, education, people-to-people diplomacy, and soft-power institutions, BRICS is building sustainable ties that support a multipolar world order based on mutual respect and cooperation rather than force.

African Development Bank-financed drone technology responds to devastating floods

Search and rescue operations are underway in Mozambique, with drone technology deployed to support emergency response efforts amid severe flooding. The initiative is financed by the African Development Bank Group through the Korean Trust Fund, in partnership with the Mozambican government and Busan Technopark. The drone missions form part of the Drone-Based Disaster Management Project launched in 2025, which established a national drone training centre and enabled emergency monitoring across five flood-prone zones. This week, joint Mozambican–Korean teams began operations in Gaza Province, including Chókwè and Guijá, streaming real-time data to locate stranded residents.

A Transformative Masterpiece

Across Lake Victoria, the Magufuli Bridge marks a milestone in Tanzania’s infrastructure development. At 4.66 km long, with a 520-metre extradosed cable-stayed span, it holds the title of Africa’s longest bridge of its kind. Built as a four-lane dual carriageway designed for high-speed traffic, it links the towns of Kigongo and Busisi, transforming the corridor into a strategic hub set to energise trade, tourism and agriculture across the region.

An Inspiring Path

After observing industrial upgrading, renewable energy, rural revitalisation and ecological initiatives, several elements stand out as particularly relevant to the Republic of the Congo. The Chinese experience shows that rural revitalisation can be adapted to different contexts. The Republic of the Congo has immense natural assets, including lush forests, rivers, living traditions and distinctive landscapes, yet many of its rural areas remain undervalued.

A Nexus for East Africa

Andrew Wangota, a 48-year-old Ugandan farmer, has been using agrivoltaics technology, a solar technology that uses agricultural land for both food production and solar power generation, on his farm in Bunashimolo Parish, Bukyiende Subcounty in Uganda where he has been cultivating plantain, coffee and Irish potatoes for the past 16 years. The technology has become an essential part of the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) Nexus, a Food and Agriculture Organisation-facilitated and China-supported South-South cooperation project that started in 2012 and is still ongoing. The project seeks to establish synergies in water, energy and food systems.

Fresh Arrival

Rwanda secured access to one of the world’s most lucrative agricultural markets this month when it finalised a trade protocol allowing fresh avocado exports to China, a deal that could fundamentally alter the trajectory of the country’s trade. The Protocol on Inspection, Quarantine, and Sanitary Requirements for the Export of Fresh Avocados from Rwanda to China was signed on 12 November 2025, marking the culmination of years of negotiations between Kigali and Beijing.

Growing a Rural Future

In the lush heart of Uganda’s Busoga sub-region, Isaac Imaka is charting a new course for rural development. After seven years in national media, he left the newsroom and stepped into the soil. The former reporter with the Daily Monitor was driven by the belief that communities like his in Jinja North deserved more than chronic poverty and hand-to-mouth survival. His transformation came after attending the Young Rural Entrepreneurs Initiative, a collaborative programme between China Agricultural University (CAU) and Tencent. In November 2024, he embarked on a 10-day educational trip across China, immersing himself in innovative farming techniques, community-driven enterprises, and the powerful synergy of science and local ingenuity. What he brought back was not just knowledge but a vision for change.

Cultivating a New Countryside

At dawn in Wufu Village, in Dinghu District of Zhaoqing City, Guangdong Province, the newly restored Chaoyangli Cultural Retreat is already welcoming its first visitors. A visitor surnamed Chen, who has travelled from Guangzhou with his child, stops in front of the Chaxi Academy to admire local intangible cultural heritage crafts. In the small square at the heart of the village, barista Liu Haoxian is preparing coffee for customers at a café that has quickly become a popular check-in spot under blue skies and white clouds.

Tracking a High-Tech Transition

The moment a media delegation from the Republic of the Congo arrived at the Othello Kitchenware Museum on 18 November 2025, they were greeted with a vivid show of Guangdong’s industrial strength. Standing before them was not a typical exhibition hall, but a building shaped like a gleaming stainless-steel cooking pot. Known as the world’s “largest soup pot building” and certified by Guinness World Records, the structure pairs futuristic metallic curves with the industrial heritage of its area. Its bold design not only serves as a striking local landmark, but also reinforces the image of Xinxing County as China’s home of stainless-steel kitchenware, giving the town an instant visual identity in a crowded manufacturing landscape.

Walking Hand in Hand

Prepared with concrete and pragmatic questions, members of a media delegation from the Republic of the Congo toured the cities of Yunfu and Zhaoqing in Guangdong Province from 16 to 22 November 2025. They visited production workshops, explored research institutes, toured beautiful villages and discovered archaeological sites, searching for the keys to Chinese modernisation in its many dimensions.

A Year of Deepening China-Africa Bonds

The year 2025 marks both the 25th anniversary of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the first year of implementation of the outcomes of the 2024 FOCAC Beijing Summit. Throughout the year, China has supported Africa in addressing historical injustices at diplomatic and political levels and firmly backed South Africa in hosting the G20 Leaders’ Summit, further deepening China-Africa strategic mutual trust.

Building Bonds, Advancing Development

The year 2026 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and African countries. It also marks the launch of the China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges. At this pivotal juncture linking past achievements with future development, Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and foreign minister, continued the longstanding diplomatic tradition under which the Chinese foreign minister makes Africa the destination of the first overseas visit of the year, a practice upheld for 36 consecutive years, underscoring the stability, continuity and sincerity of China’s policy towards Africa.

Artificial Intelligence in BRICS: Cooperation or Competition?

Artificial intelligence is fast becoming a new pillar of global development, and BRICS countries are at the centre of this transformation. From healthcare and education to agriculture and smart cities, AI offers powerful tools to reduce inequality and strengthen a multipolar world. Yet its rapid growth also raises concerns around ethics, data security, energy use, and national sovereignty. As BRICS nations roll out their own AI strategies, a key question emerges: will they compete for technological leadership, or cooperate to shape inclusive, secure, and people-centred AI for the Global South?

Growing Global Potential

China will continue to seek high-quality growth and unswervingly promote high-standard opening up, making new contributions to the world economy. Chinese Premier Li Qiang made the remark at the opening ceremony of the eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) and the Hongqiao International Economic Forum in Shanghai on 5 November.

A Strategic Pharmaceutical Hub

A new chapter in Sino-Cameroonian cooperation is being written. The $948.7 million Yicheng Pharmaceutical Group Fabrication Co. Ltd. plant is set to reshape Cameroon’s pharmaceutical landscape. The foundation stone was laid on 3 October in Meyo on the outskirts of Yaoundé, during a colourful ceremony attended by Prime Minister Joseph Dion Ngute and other senior officials. Spearheaded by China’s Yicheng, the initiative underscores the growing partnership between Chinese and Cameroonian business leaders. This milestone, achieved through collaboration between Chinese and Cameroonian business leaders, is largely driven by Yicheng.

Rising With Rice

The town of Mahitsy, situated 27 km northwest of Madagascar’s capital Antananarivo, once struggled with food insecurity, but is now thriving. This transformation was made possible by the establishment of the Chinese Hybrid Rice High-Yield Demonstration Base, which has played a key role in boosting local agricultural productivity. This development exemplifies China’s strategic involvement in enhancing agricultural output across the continent.

Blueberries Bring Golden Opportunity

Thanks to a recent phytosanitary agreement signed with China, the world’s largest importer of blueberries, often called a “superfood” due to it being loaded with nutrients, Zimbabwe’s blueberries now enjoy zero-tariff access to one of the planet’s most lucrative markets. This breakthrough represents more than just a new trade route - it means a potential transformation for an agricultural sector long dominated by tobacco.

Seeds of Hope

Agriculture has long been the backbone of Busoga’s economy. Yet despite its fertile land and strong farming traditions, the kingdom continues to face deep socio-economic challenges. By 2024, about 65 percent of its youth were unemployed, and 1.16 million people lived below the poverty line, accounting for 14 percent of Uganda’s total impoverished population. To tackle these challenges, Uganda’s Vice President Jessica Alupo launched the Village Agricultural Model (VAM) in 2023, a collaboration between China Agricultural University (CAU), the Vice President’s Office, and Busoga’s local government. Implemented by the Busoga Consortium for Development, the project aims to establish 12 demonstration villages across the region. Drawing on lessons from China’s rural revitalisation efforts, VAM seeks to help to lift communities out of poverty by 2030.

Paths to Modernisation

Xi Jinping: The Governance of China inspires African thinking on development choices

Resilience and Rebirth

Located on the mountainous western edge of Beijing Municipality, Mentougou District is renowned for its breathtaking natural landscapes and rich cultural heritage. On 22 June, I had the opportunity to visit the district, nearly two years after it was struck by a catastrophic flood that left widespread destruction in its wake. My visit provided a unique opportunity to observe the ongoing recovery efforts and evaluate how the district has leveraged coordinated planning, technology and the resilience of its people to rebuild.

Wheels of Opportunity

The use of Chinese-made motorbikes in the Southern African country provides young people with vital livelihood opportunities amid high unemployment. By registering on courier platforms, riders earn income delivering various goods such as food, flowers, household appliances and parcels, receiving payment for each delivery.

Lion Eyes the Stars

Space was once a distant dream for African nations like Senegal. But that is changing fast. Today, space is emerging as a strategic frontier for the continent, with 22 countries including Senegal now operating national space agencies. Senegal launched its own agency, the Senegalese Space Study Agency (ASES), in March 2023.

A Taste of Trade

In what is a great news for those engage in the coffee sector, the government of Burundi and the Chinese embassy in Bujumbura recently announced the commencement of exports of Burundian coffee to China. The first consignment of 38 tonnes of green coffee has already been shipped to China. This will further strengthen the economic and trade relations between the two countries. China Henan International Cooperation Group (CHICO) will be responsible for selling Burundian coffee in China.

Riding on Four Lanes

For the people of Masaka, Kabuga and Muyumbu in Rwanda, the daily commute often takes longer than it should. A stretch of just 10 km along the Prince House-Giporoso-Masaka road can take half an hour during peak hours. The narrow two-lane artery, clogged with long-haul trucks from the Rwanda-Tanzania border and commuter traffic, has long tested the patience of drivers and pedestrians alike. In May, a long-awaited announcement finally arrived. Rwanda’s Ministry of Infrastructure confirmed plans to expand the road from two lanes to four, adding a 1.2-km flyover at Giporoso-Remera and an underpass to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

Cultivating Change

Under the blazing sun of Kamuli District in Uganda’s Eastern Region, a group of young farmers gathered around a patch of freshly turned red soil. Cameras rolled as Uganda’s First Deputy Prime Minister Rebecca Kadaga joined local youth to plant the first chilli seedlings on a 10-acre (4.05 hectares) demonstration farm. The live broadcast, aired on the national agricultural television programme Kungula, marked not only the launch of a digital farming project led by AMPA Media, but also symbolised Africa’s growing ambition to unite tradition with technology.

Bridging Generations

The G20 Youth Summit (Y20) took place in Johannesburg, South Africa, from 18 to 23 August. Sun Ruoshui, a research assistant from the Institute of Climate Change and Sustainable Development, Tsinghua University, was appointed by the All-China Youth Federation to represent China in the discussions on Climate and Environmental Sustainability. Specialising in global climate governance, international climate negotiation and climate policy, Sun has previously served as a member of the Chinese delegation to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28) and 2024 Bonn Subsidiary Bodies Meeting. ChinAfrica spoke with Sun about his experience engaging with youth representatives from G20 countries and his insights on fostering China-Africa youth cooperation in addressing global climate challenges.

Gender Equality at the Forefront

The Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women was held in Beijing, the capital of China, on 13-14 October. South African Minister in the Presidency for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities Sindisiwe Chikunga, attended the event. ChinAfrica spoke with her in an exclusive interview about the messages she brought to the meeting, South Africa’s progress in women’s empowerment, how the G20 presidency can contribute to this cause, and China’s role. An edited excerpt of the interview follows.

Working Together to Tackle Poverty

The G20 Leaders’ Summit will be held in South Africa in late November. As the presiding nation, South Africa has held or will host a total of 132 official meetings this year, aiming to address the most pressing challenges facing the world, particularly those affecting countries in the Global South.

Driving the Multipolar Shift

Amid overlapping crises and uncertainties as the world enters an era of turbulence and transformation, the countries of the Global South are swiftly emerging from the periphery of world politics to the forefront of international cooperation, playing an increasingly vital role in advancing humanity’s collective progress.

Building Consensus in an Era of Division

When the G20 was created in 1999 in the wake of the Asian financial crisis, few imagined it would one day become the nerve centre of global governance. Twenty-six years later, the G20 members, which represent 85 percent of the global GDP and two-thirds of the world population, are once again navigating a turbulent era marked by geopolitical rivalry, economic fragmentation and widening inequality. At the end of 2024, South Africa assumed the presidency of the G20. The timing could hardly be more apt. From rescuing banks to shaping climate finance, the G20 has evolved from a crisis management mechanism into a forum where power is increasingly shared and where the Global South is finding a stronger collective voice.

Raising Competitiveness Through Reform

The governance of state-owned enterprises (SOEs) has long been central to political and institutional economic debates. Critics often associate SOEs with inefficiency, rent-seeking and dogma, treating them as relics of command economies. Yet in many developmental states, they have been engines of industrialisation, technological progress and national resilience. China provides perhaps the most striking example. Its SOEs have survived and evolved, some becoming globally competitive multinationals in energy, infrastructure and telecommunications.

CIIE Strengthens South-South Ties

The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) held in Shanghai on 5-10 November underscored the growing cooperation among Global South countries, as businesses crossed borders and joined hands with local partners to bring quality products to China, meeting the country’s rising demand for high-end goods while fostering local development, particularly in agriculture, in their home countries.

Global South Takes Centre Stage at Eighth CIIE

The eighth China International Import Expo (CIIE) opened in Shanghai on 5 November, attracting a record 4,108 overseas exhibitors from 155 countries, regions and international organisations. This year's expo features a larger presence from the Global South, as businesses from these countries seek to deepen their engagement with the Chinese market. The number of companies from less-developed countries at the expo has increased to 163, a 23.5 percent year-on-year rise, while the number of African exhibitors has grown by 80 percent. Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, Nigeria and Colombia are serving as the guests of honour for this year's event.