The partnership between China and Africa continues to provide a strong foundation for collaboration among countries in the Global South. China’s 15th Five-Year Plan, endorsed at the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee, reinforces long-term planning, institutional coordination, and high-quality development. For African nations, the plan offers a model for linking national strategies with structured implementation to drive sustainable economic transformation and shared prosperity.
Key priorities of the 15th Five-Year Plan include economic restructuring, technological innovation, green development, the digital economy, and continued rollout of the Belt and Road Initiative. These focus areas align with Africa’s development goals, including infrastructure expansion, industrialisation, and digital transformation. China’s development experience shows that rapid economic growth alone is insufficient; strong institutions, social inclusion, and long-term policy consistency are equally critical. With China’s economy projected to reach over 170 trillion yuan (US$23.8 trillion) by 2030, the expansion of its domestic market presents significant trade and investment opportunities for African partners.
The plan also demonstrates the value of public participation and research-driven policy formulation. Extensive consultation during previous five-year plans highlights the importance of linking strategies to grassroots input. Africa can draw lessons from this approach by strengthening domestic planning mechanisms, investing in policy research, and ensuring that continental frameworks, such as Agenda 2063, are implemented inclusively and effectively. Tailoring these lessons to local conditions is essential for achieving sustainable development outcomes.
Closer alignment between China’s 15th Five-Year Plan and Africa’s priorities, particularly under the African Continental Free Trade Area, could accelerate infrastructure investment, industrialisation, and digital connectivity. By supporting trade corridors, strengthening value chains, and expanding financial cooperation, China-Africa collaboration has the potential to enhance intra-African trade and regional integration. Coordinated partnerships based on transparency, shared priorities, and sustainable development will be key to translating cooperation into tangible economic benefits for the continent