India-Africa Forum Summit

Syllabus: GS2/IR

Context

• India restarted discussion on the next India-Africa Forum Summit on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit.

India-Africa Forum

• The India–Africa Forum Summit is the highest institutional platform for cooperation between India and African countries under the leadership of the African Union. 
• It was established in 2008, and aims to strengthen political dialogue, economic cooperation, trade, investment, technology transfer, capacity building and people-to-people relations between India and Africa.
• It reflects a shared commitment to South–South cooperation, inclusive development, multilateralism and sustainable partnerships. 
• After the inaugural 2008 summit, additional summits were held in 2011 and 2015, the next summit is expected in 2026.

India and Africa Relations

• Increased Cooperation: In the past decade, there have been nearly 50 high level visits from India to African countries and close to 100 visits from African leaders to India.
  • India has also opened 17 new diplomatic missions in Africa since 2018, taking its presence to 46 countries. 
• Bilateral Trade: India is currently Africa’s fourth-largest trading partner and among its top five investors.
  • For FY 2024-25, trade between India and Africa amounted to USD 81.99 billion (with India’s export amounting to USD 42.6 billion and India’s import amounting to USD 39.2 billion). 
  • Africa accounts for nearly 10 percent of India’s energy imports. 
• Investments: India’s cumulative investment in Africa has reached approximately USD 80 billion between 1996 and 2025, India is among Africa’s top five investors.
  • India has provided more than 190 lines of credit worth more than 10 billion dollars to 41 African states so far. 
  • A total of 220 projects worth 4.5 billion dollars have been completed. 
• Health: India supplies nearly 50% of Africa’s generic medicines and has been a reliable partner during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • India is also expanding cooperation in pharmaceutical manufacturing in countries such as Nigeria, Tanzania, Senegal, South Africa. 
  • India’s first overseas Jan Aushadhi Kendra has been set up in Mauritius in Africa. 
• Defence and Maritime Cooperation: India contributes around five thousand peacekeepers to UN missions in Africa and has increased engagement in maritime security, anti-piracy operations and defence exports.
  • India conducts joint exercises such as the Africa–India Field Training Exercise (AFFINDEX) and organizes India-Africa Defence Ministers’ Conclaves. 
• Energy and Sustainability: About 13% of India’s total energy requirement comes from Africa.
  • 39 African countries have joined the International Solar Alliance (ISA) so far, 9 African countries are members of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and 11 African countries are members of the Global Biofuels Alliance (GBA).
• People to People Ties: The Indian diaspora in Africa is estimated at around 3.5 million and plays a vital role in strengthening economic, cultural, and social linkages.
  • India has extended e-visa facilities to 33 African countries to promote tourism, trade, and cultural exchanges. 
• At the multilateral level, India actively supports Africa’s enhanced representation in global governance.
  • During its G20 Presidency, India played a key role in securing permanent membership of the African Union in the G20. 

Significance of Africa for India

• Economic and Trade Opportunities: Growing African economies offer opportunities for Indian companies in pharmaceuticals, automobiles, agriculture, IT, telecommunications and infrastructure.
• Energy and Critical Minerals: African countries are important sources of crude oil, natural gas and critical minerals such as cobalt, lithium, manganese and graphite, which are essential for India’s energy security and green transition.
• Strategic and Maritime Importance: Africa’s eastern coast overlooks the Indian Ocean and vital sea lanes connecting Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
  • Cooperation with African littoral states is therefore important for India’s maritime security and countering piracy, terrorism and trafficking.
• Global South Partnership: Africa is a crucial partner for India in strengthening the voice of the Global South in forums such as the UN, G20 and WTO.
• Geopolitical Significance: Greater engagement with Africa can help India build a multipolar international order, diversify its diplomatic partnerships and enhance its influence across the developing world.

Conclusion

• India–Africa relations are rooted in historical ties, shared developmental aspirations and common Global South interests. 
• Going forward, a partnership based on mutual respect, co-development and local priorities can transform these ties into a strong pillar of India’s engagement with the developing world.

Source: TH