Plan's focus on tech reliance to aid Africa

As China prepares to roll out its 15th Five-Year Plan, the country's governance under the leadership of the Communist Party of China and its push to strengthen technological self-reliance are expected to present both opportunities and lessons for Africa, analysts say.

Benedict Wachira, secretary-general of the Communist Party of Kenya, praised China's tradition of long-term planning and strategic vision through successive five-year plans, saying that governance under the CPC has translated into efficiency and expanded engagement with the rest of the world.

CPC leadership enables more effective decision-making, faster project approvals and broader access to technological, agricultural and infrastructure support, Wachira said.

"(Such a governance model) allows for quicker and more efficient decisions, which benefits African countries that are dependent on China for financing, technology and infrastructure," he said.

He was referring to the recommendations for formulating the 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30), adopted in October by the 20th CPC Central Committee, which call for improved governance and a significant boost to technological self-reliance.

Emmanuel Matambo, a senior researcher at the University of Johannesburg's Centre for Africa-China Studies, emphasized China's development priorities within a multilateral context, which brings benefits to other countries through its own development.

"Even if China prioritizes its domestic interests — which is expected of any country — it still commits itself to multilateralism,"Matambo said, contrasting this approach with recent inward-looking trends in the West.

For African policymakers, he said, this approach offers reassurance rather than uncertainty, particularly in technology cooperation. He cited South Africa's adoption of Huawei's technologies as evidence of Africa's confidence in Chinese innovation despite external pressure.

He also pointed to practical benefits arising from China's push for technological self-reliance and renewable energy, which he said creates opportunities for skills transfer, industrial development and the growth of indigenous technology ecosystems.

"We should learn from China's competitive advantages — its labor base and strategic use of resources — and apply similar thinking to Africa's vast population and mineral wealth," Matambo said, highlighting opportunities in artificial intelligence, digital infrastructure and renewable energy.

Skills transfer must extend beyond local training to include increasing the number of African students studying science, technology and engineering in China, he said.

"When we talk about beneficiation of critical minerals, it comes down to skills. Africa needs people who can add value to what we extract."

He underscored the importance of a coordinated, continental approach to China-Africa engagement, leveraging platforms such as the African Continental Free Trade Area and regional economic communities.

Both experts said that although it is apparent that Africa cannot replicate China's governance model wholesale, there are valuable lessons to draw.

Matambo urged African countries to build capacity in areas such as AI and digital sovereignty, while Wachira emphasized learning from China's long-term planning and strategic vision.

In addition, they said China's multilateral approach and development can help strengthen its soft power across Africa.

Matambo contrasted China's approach with Western policies, citing anti-immigration measures and unilateral sanctions in the United States and Europe as factors reinforcing Africa's receptivity to China's partnership.

The experts said that by coordinating regionally, investing in skills and strategically leveraging its resources, Africa can turn cooperation with China into opportunities for long-term development.