On 23 February 2026, the landmark conference ‘India-Africa Partnership in a Changing Global Order’ organised by the Chintan Research Foundation and USANAS Foundation in New Delhi, ignited focused discussions on elevating the India-South Africa strategic partnership. South Africa’s High Commissioner, Prof. Anil Sooklal who is a former G20 and BRICS Sherpa also delivered pivotal interventions on agricultural innovation, food security, skills development and capacity building.

 The event marked the beginning of a new chapter, transforming historical solidarity into a concrete and forward-looking bilateral strategies ahead of the India-Africa Forum Summit 2026.

The momentum was vividly captured at a high-level conference titled “India-Africa Partnership in a Changing Global Order,” the event brought together diplomats, policymakers, scholars, and strategic thinkers. Sudhakar Dalela, Secretary (Economic Relations) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, underscored the urgency of South-South cooperation amid “turbulent times” marked by supply-chain disruptions. “Africa occupies a central place in India’s economic diplomacy,” he noted, framing the relationship through the ancient Indian ethos of Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam the world is one family. High Commissioner of South Africa to India Anil Sooklal highlighted priorities for the forthcoming fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS), expected in mid-2026 where agricultural innovation, food security, skills development and capacity building will be the main focus. Ambassador Anil Wadhawa emphasised ‘co-architecting futures’ through technology, ports and infrastructure. Delegates repeatedly stressed the need to expand cooperation into renewable energy, critical minerals and digitisation while calling for stronger institutional mechanisms and more regular high-level engagements.

In an era defined by geopolitical realignments, supply-chain disruptions and the quest for a more equitable multipolar order, India-Africa relations are undergoing a profound transformation. Once rooted primarily in shared histories of anti-colonial struggle and solidarity within the Non-Aligned Movement and the Bandung Conference, the partnership is now evolving into a dynamic strategic alliance. This shift from historical solidarity to forward-looking strategy positions both regions as pivotal architects of the Global South’s future. As Africa’s economic ascent accelerates and India consolidates its role as a global technology and manufacturing powerhouse, their collaboration in trade, technology, critical minerals, digital infrastructure and capacity building promises to deliver mutual prosperity while strengthening resilience in an uncertain world.

Bilateral trade has already surpassed $100 billion in 2024-25, with both sides targeting a doubling to $200 billion by 2030. This growth is underpinned by the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is unlocking intra-African markets and creating opportunities for Indian businesses to integrate into regional value chains. Indian firms are actively involved in infrastructure projects from roads and railways to ports and power plants all across the continent, while African nations are increasingly turning to India’s affordable, scalable solutions in digital public goods. Initiatives such as UPI for digital payments, Aadhaar-inspired identity systems and India’s telemedicine and e-governance platforms are being adapted to African contexts, accelerating financial inclusion and service delivery in remote areas.

Critical minerals represent one of the most strategically significant pillars of this new phase. Africa holds vast reserves of cobalt, lithium, graphite and rare earth elements that are essential for the global green energy transition and electric vehicle batteries. As India seeks to diversify supply chains away from over-reliance on any single source and to support its ambitious renewable energy and manufacturing goals under Viksit Bharat 2047, partnerships with African nations offer a win-win pathway. Joint ventures in exploration, processing and value addition can generate local employment, technology transfer and revenue streams for African economies while securing India’s long-term resource needs. 

Technology and digital infrastructure form another cornerstone. India’s proven expertise in low-cost innovation complements Africa’s youthful demographic and burgeoning startup ecosystems. Collaborations in artificial intelligence, renewable energy technologies and data centres are poised to drive industrialisation. Capacity building remains central where India has trained thousands of African professionals through scholarships, technical training programmes and institutions such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) scheme. These efforts are expanding to include advanced domains like semiconductor design, climate-resilient agriculture and health infrastructure.

Sustainable development and climate action further bind the two sides. Africa is disproportionately vulnerable to climate change, yet it possesses immense potential in renewable energy that is solar, wind and green hydrogen. India, with its ambitious net-zero commitments and leadership in solar manufacturing is actually well-placed to support Africa’s energy transition through joint projects, technology sharing and financing mechanisms. The alignment of Africa’s Agenda 2063 with India’s development vision creates a natural synergy for ecosystem-level co-development rather than isolated projects.

Of course, realising this potential requires addressing persistent challenges. Logistical bottlenecks, regulatory harmonisation and the need for greater private-sector participation must be tackled through clearer policy roadmaps and innovative financing. Geopolitical competition, particularly in critical minerals, demands that India-Africa engagement emphasises equitable partnerships over extractive models. The upcoming IAFS 2026 offers a strategic inflection point to translate goodwill into measurable outcomes perhaps through a comprehensive 2030 roadmap encompassing trade targets, joint investment funds and institutional frameworks for regular ministerial dialogues.

As Africa rises as a demographic and economic powerhouse and India extends its global footprint, their partnership is set to become a defining pillar of the Global South. No longer content with symbolic solidarity, both regions are embracing pragmatic strategy to build resilient supply chains, foster inclusive growth and champion a multipolar world order grounded in mutual respect and shared prosperity. In the words of the conference participants, this is not merely about expanding cooperation but about co-creating a future where the Global South shapes global rules rather than merely adapting to them.

The coming decade will test the depth of this commitment. With disciplined execution, sustained political will and private-sector dynamism, India-Africa ties can transcend historical bonds to become a model of 21st-century South-South collaboration. One that delivers tangible benefits to billions while contributing to a more equitable international system.