India-Africa Relations - Development Partnership, Trade, and Strategic Cooperation

Introduction

India–Africa relations have moved from moral solidarity to a practical, multi-sector partnership built on development cooperation, expanding trade and investment, and growing strategic coordination in the Indian Ocean and global forums. As of January 2026, three trends define the moment: (1) economic scale—India's trade with Africa has crossed the USD 100 billion mark in FY 2024–25 (as stated by the Government) and Indian investments are now large enough to place India among major investors on the continent; (2) Global South leadership—India's push for the African Union (AU) to become a permanent member of the G20 strengthened Africa's voice in global economic governance; and (3) security and connectivity—maritime cooperation is deepening through naval engagements and capacity-building, while digital and human capital partnerships (ITEC, ICCR, e-learning and telemedicine) are expanding.

Africa matters to India for reasons that overlap with UPSC themes: rising demographics and markets, critical minerals and energy, climate and food security, Indo-Pacific sea lanes, diaspora links, and coalition-building in multilateral institutions (UN, WTO, climate negotiations). At the same time, India's engagement faces hard constraints—project execution speed, competitive pressure from China and others, and the need to convert goodwill into measurable economic outcomes.

Prelims Angle

• Trade benchmark: India–Africa trade crossed USD 100 billion in FY 2024–25 (government statement).
• Key platform: India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is the apex political mechanism (held in 2008, 2011, 2015).
• G20 milestone: AU became a permanent member of G20 during India's presidency (2023).
• Flagship tools: Lines of Credit (LoC), ITEC, ICCR, e-VidyaBharti/e-ArogyaBharti.

Mains Angle

• Use "Global South", "South–South cooperation", "development partnership", and "Indo-Pacific/Indian Ocean" as framing.
• Balance: opportunities (markets, minerals, multilateral coalitions) vs constraints (execution gaps, competition, risks).
• Highlight India's demand-driven model vs "one-size-fits-all" perceptions of other actors.

Historical Background and Evolution

Pre-independence links include the Indian diaspora's early presence in East and Southern Africa and the formative role of Mahatma Gandhi in South Africa (1893–1914), which shaped India's anti-racist and anti-colonial worldview. During the freedom era, Indian nationalists and African leaders drew on shared experiences of colonial exploitation and racial hierarchies.

After independence, India's Africa policy was anchored in Non-Alignment (NAM), anti-colonial solidarity, and strong support for the anti-apartheid struggle. India positioned itself as a voice for decolonisation and racial equality, while building educational and cultural linkages.

Post-Cold War, engagement became more economic and strategic: India expanded diplomatic footprint, pushed trade and investment, and strengthened development instruments. The relationship was institutionalised through three India–Africa Forum Summits (IAFS):

• IAFS-I (2008, New Delhi): adopted key political and cooperation frameworks; announced major concessional finance and trade preferences.
• IAFS-II (2011, Addis Ababa): deepened the partnership with new credit lines and institution-building commitments.
• IAFS-III (2015, New Delhi): invited all 54 African countries; announced USD 10 billion LoC and USD 600 million in grant assistance; offered 50,000 scholarships over five years (starting 2015).

A key contemporary issue is that IAFS-IV has been pending for years (earlier target was 2020), making institutional renewal an important policy task.

Prelims Angle

• IAFS years: 2008, 2011, 2015.
• IAFS-III (2015): invited all 54 African countries; LoC USD 10 billion; grants USD 600 million; 50,000 scholarships.
• Historic pillars: NAM, anti-apartheid, South–South cooperation.

Mains Angle

• Explain shift: from solidarity to "mutual development" + "strategic convergence".
• Use examples: scholarships, LoCs, tele-education, maritime security.
• Link to UPSC themes: diaspora diplomacy, multilateral reforms, Indo-Pacific.

Institutional Framework

India–Africa engagement operates through a layered institutional framework. At the top, the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) provides political direction and broad priority areas. At the working level, India runs multiple mechanisms with African countries: Joint Commissions/Joint Ministerial Commissions, Joint Trade Committees, Foreign Office Consultations, and sectoral Joint Working Groups (health, agriculture, ICT, defence, etc.). India also maintains regular engagement with the African Union (AU) through its accreditation and structured dialogues; India and AU have held consultations on peace, security and regional stability, reflecting a widening strategic agenda.

Alongside government-to-government platforms, track-1.5 forums (such as business conclaves) and people-to-people instruments (diaspora networks, cultural festivals, university partnerships) support continuity. A strong UPSC point is that India's approach is not just bilateral; it also works with regional and continental institutions (AU and African regional economic communities) to align projects with African priorities.

Prelims Angle

• Apex platform: IAFS.
• Working platforms: Joint Commissions, JTCs, FOC, JWGs.
• Continental link: African Union engagement alongside bilateral ties.

Mains Angle

• Institutional gap: absence of IAFS for years creates a "summit deficit".
• Argue for outcomes: faster LoC project delivery, trade facilitation, private sector participation.
• Show strategic expansion: peace and security engagement with AU and maritime initiatives.

Development Partnership Model

India's development partnership with Africa is built around demand-driven projects—identified by the partner country—and implemented through a consultative process. The main financial instrument is the Line of Credit (LoC) routed through the Export-Import Bank of India (EXIM Bank). As per official data, India has extended around USD 12 billion in LoCs to over 40 African countries, covering hundreds of projects across sectors such as transport, power transmission, irrigation, agriculture, water supply, IT and social infrastructure. A notable policy emphasis is on projects that generate visible public benefits—connectivity, drinking water, rural electrification, healthcare infrastructure, and productivity-enhancing agriculture.

Grant assistance complements LoCs for institution-building, training centres, community assets, and humanitarian support. India also stresses non-conditionality and respect for sovereignty, presenting its model as distinct from traditional aid that often comes with governance or policy strings.

Illustrative success stories (exam-ready examples):

• Ghana: LoC-supported initiatives in agriculture mechanisation and drinking water upgrades (example: potable water system improvements in northern Ghana).
• Ethiopia: a major LoC supported the development of Ethiopia's sugar sector, often cited as a long-term capacity-building example.
• Rwanda: LoC-supported modern irrigated agriculture initiatives aimed at export-targeted production and district-level transformation.

Prelims Angle

• LoC channel: Government-supported LoCs are extended through EXIM Bank.
• Scale: around USD 12 billion LoCs to 40+ African countries.
• Approach: demand-driven, consultative, non-conditional.

Mains Angle

• Differentiate India's model: capacity building + public goods + local ownership.
• Add criticism: project delays, procurement constraints, limited aftercare/maintenance.
• Link to Global South: partnership, not "donor–recipient".

Capacity Building and Technical Cooperation

Human capital cooperation is a core strength of India–Africa relations and often the easiest to convert into goodwill and long-term influence. India's flagship is the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, which trains professionals across public administration, IT, finance, entrepreneurship, renewable energy, agriculture, disaster management, and governance. A 2025 Parliamentary response noted that for West Africa alone, India offers close to 1,260 ITEC slots each year, and more than 6,200 professionals from West African countries have been trained so far—showing the scale and continuity of this instrument.

ICCR scholarships add academic depth and cultural familiarity. Under the India–Africa Maitri Scholarship Scheme (earlier Africa Scholarship Scheme), missions have announced large annual allocations (for example, 940 slots announced for 2024–25). Beyond physical mobility, digital delivery is expanding through the evolution of the Pan-African e-Network into e-VidyaBharti (tele-education) and e-ArogyaBharti (telemedicine). Reports note that since 2019, over 15,000 African youth from 22 countries have benefited from scholarships/online courses under these digital initiatives.

Prelims Angle

• ITEC: flagship capacity-building programme.
• ICCR: scholarships and cultural diplomacy (India–Africa Maitri).
• e-VBAB: tele-education and telemedicine (e-VidyaBharti/e-ArogyaBharti).

Mains Angle

• Human capital is India's comparative advantage vs pure finance-heavy models.
• Argue for outcomes: alumni networks, joint research, skill-to-jobs pipelines.
• Strengthen delivery: language support, recognition of degrees, digital infrastructure.

Trade and Economic Relations

Economic ties are broadening, but the central challenge is scale and diversification. Official statements note that India–Africa trade crossed USD 100 billion in FY 2024–25, up sharply from earlier years. Business compilations for the same period show merchandise trade in the USD 80–90 billion range (differences arise from coverage, country classification, and whether services are included). The direction is clear: Africa is now a major trade theatre for India.

Top trading partners typically include South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Kenya and others; recent trade tables also show Tanzania and Angola as major partners. India exports refined petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, machinery, steel, textiles, rice and services; imports include crude oil, LNG-related energy inputs, precious metals, pulses, phosphates and other raw materials.

A major policy instrument is India's Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), which provides duty-free or preferential access on about 98.2% of India's tariff lines. Historically, a large share of eligible LDCs are in Africa, making DFTP a trade-and-development tool (Prelims-friendly).

Prelims Angle

• Trade milestone: FY 2024–25 trade crossed USD 100 billion (government statement).
• DFTP: provides preferences on about 98.2% tariff lines for LDCs.
• Top partners list (FY 2024–25): South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Angola, Egypt.

Mains Angle

• Identify gaps: low value-add exports in some markets, logistics and standards barriers.
• Opportunity: AfCFTA-driven market integration—India can plug into regional value chains.
• Policy ask: trade facilitation, credit insurance, local currency settlement, MSME entry support.

Energy and Natural Resources

Energy security is a structural driver of India's Africa engagement. African producers (notably Nigeria, Angola, Algeria and others) remain important sources of crude grades suitable for Indian refineries. Import patterns have become more dynamic due to global disruptions and sanctions regimes; for instance, Indian refiners have recently procured crude from Angola as part of diversification moves. In natural gas, East Africa's offshore discoveries—especially Mozambique—matter for India's medium-term LNG strategy, with Indian public sector participation in Mozambique-linked LNG projects highlighted in market reporting.

A fast-rising strategic area is critical minerals for the energy transition: cobalt (DRC), lithium (southern Africa), manganese (southern and central Africa), graphite (Mozambique), platinum group metals (South Africa), and rare earth potential in multiple geologies. For UPSC, the key analytical link is that clean-energy ambitions require stable mineral supply chains and responsible mining partnerships.

Indian companies, including PSUs and private players, have pursued resource projects and long-term offtake opportunities. The way forward is shifting from "raw material sourcing" to value addition: joint exploration, local processing, skill transfer, and ESG-compliant mining—aligning with Africa's own industrialisation goals.

Prelims Angle

• Key energy suppliers (commonly): Nigeria, Angola, Algeria (plus others depending on year).
• Critical minerals focus: cobalt, lithium, manganese, graphite, PGMs.
• Gas potential: East Africa (Mozambique) is strategically relevant for LNG.

Mains Angle

• Show linkage: energy + minerals + green transition + supply chain resilience.
• Stress responsible partnership: local value addition, ESG, technology transfer.
• Connect to Indo-Pacific: sea-lane security for energy flows.

Strategic and Security Cooperation

India–Africa security cooperation has expanded from training-focused defence ties to a broader agenda that includes maritime security, counter-terrorism coordination, capacity building, and defence industrial collaboration. India signs defence cooperation agreements, conducts training for African military personnel, and supports institution-building in areas such as coastal security and hydrography.

The Indian Ocean is the central geography. East African littorals and island states are vital for sea lanes, anti-piracy operations, and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief (HADR). A major recent step has been India's initiation of large joint maritime engagements with African navies—such as Africa–India Key Maritime Engagement (AIKEYME) 2025—aimed at interoperability and joint solutions to common maritime challenges.

India's UN peacekeeping record creates deep military-to-military familiarity with Africa. Indian contingents have served in multiple African missions over decades, and India also supports training for peacekeepers (sometimes through triangular cooperation with partners). This combination—maritime cooperation plus UN peacekeeping credibility—strengthens India's claim as a reliable, rules-based security partner.

Prelims Angle

• AIKEYME: major maritime engagement initiative (2025).
• Security themes: anti-piracy, coastal security, HADR, UN peacekeeping.
• Defence mechanisms: Joint Defence Committees/Working Groups with partners.

Mains Angle

• Argue "net security provider" role in the Indian Ocean through partnerships, not bases.
• Balance security with development: ports, blue economy, disaster resilience.
• Suggest: maritime domain awareness networks, joint patrols, capacity finance.

Indian Diaspora in Africa

The Indian diaspora is both a historical bridge and a contemporary asset. Indian-origin communities arrived through trade networks and indentured labour routes during the colonial era, and many have lived in Africa for generations—especially in South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Diaspora communities have contributed to commerce, small industries, healthcare, education, and professional services, often becoming "connectors" for Indian business entry and people-to-people trust.

For UPSC, diaspora is not just culture; it is also economic diplomacy (trade networks, remittances and investment), soft power (Bollywood, yoga, education), and consular protection. At the same time, there are risks: periodic xenophobia, political instability in some regions, and the need for crisis evacuation and community security. India's diplomatic missions in Africa increasingly work on community welfare, educational mobility, and cultural outreach to strengthen long-term goodwill.

Prelims Angle

• Major diaspora hubs: South Africa, Mauritius, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda.
• Concepts: PIO/OCI, diaspora diplomacy, consular protection.

Mains Angle

• Use diaspora as a "bridge" argument for trade, education, and cultural ties.
• Add nuance: social tensions and security risks require careful engagement.
• Propose: diaspora business councils, skill partnerships, cultural co-production.

Multilateral Cooperation

India and Africa coordinate strongly in multilateral arenas where voting strength and agenda-setting matter. The most visible recent example is the African Union's permanent membership in the G20, supported by India during its presidency, which strengthened representation of the Global South in global economic governance. India and African countries also coordinate positions on development finance, debt stress seen in several developing economies, and reform of global institutions.

On UN Security Council (UNSC) reform, India has repeatedly aligned itself with Africa's aspiration for a rightful place in an expanded UNSC, referencing Africa's common position (often linked to the Ezulwini Consensus) while seeking reciprocal support for India's own candidature. Cooperation also extends to climate negotiations, where both sides stress equity, climate finance, and technology access.

India's convening role in Global South dialogues (including summits and ministerial formats) helps aggregate African concerns on food security, health, energy transition, and digital inclusion. For UPSC answers, the key is to show that India–Africa ties are not only bilateral—they shape bargaining power in global rule-making.

Prelims Angle

• G20 change: AU is a permanent G20 member (since 2023 summit).
• UNSC reform: India supports Africa's aspiration for representation in a reformed UNSC.

Mains Angle

• Explain "coalition diplomacy": votes + agenda + legitimacy.
• Connect to climate justice: finance, adaptation, technology transfer.
• Write forward-looking: India–Africa as a pillar of reformed multilateralism.

China Factor

Any realistic analysis must include the China factor. China's trade with Africa is significantly larger than India's, and China's infrastructure footprint (ports, rail, highways, power) has been deep and visible. However, China's Africa finance is evolving: recent data indicates that Chinese loan commitments to Africa fell to about USD 2.1 billion in 2024 (a post-pandemic low), reflecting a shift from mega-project lending toward smaller, more commercially viable financing and greater use of the yuan.

China also uses large summit mechanisms like FOCAC. At the 2024 FOCAC summit cycle, China announced a financing package of around USD 50+ billion (with credit lines, investment and aid components), but observers note it is more cautious than pre-COVID peaks and more focused on sustainability and risk control.

India's comparative advantage lies in human capital, pharmaceuticals, digital public goods, democratic governance experience, and a partnership narrative based on local ownership. The challenge is execution speed and economic scale. UPSC answers should avoid simplistic "debt trap" labels and instead compare models with evidence: instrument design, local capacity creation, transparency, debt sustainability, and long-term outcomes.

Prelims Angle

• FOCAC: China–Africa summit mechanism.
• Trend: Chinese lending to Africa is more cautious post-pandemic; 2024 loan commitments ~USD 2.1 bn (reported).
• India's tools: LoCs, ITEC, ICCR, e-VBAB.

Mains Angle

• Do comparative analysis with parameters, not slogans.
• Show India's niche: skills, pharma, digital public infrastructure, democratic capacity.
• Suggest "competitive cooperation": selective triangular projects, standards-based infrastructure, sustainable finance.

Challenges and Opportunities

Challenges include: (1) project execution delays in LoC-funded infrastructure due to procurement, land, capacity and local constraints; (2) limited private sector depth compared to competitors, and risk aversion due to currency volatility and political/security risks in some regions; (3) trade concentration in a few commodities and partners; (4) connectivity and logistics—high freight costs and weak direct shipping/air links; and (5) a crowded competitive space, with China, EU, Gulf states, Turkey and others pursuing aggressive economic and strategic agendas.

Opportunities are equally strong: (1) AfCFTA can create a unified market, opening regional value chains where Indian firms can invest; (2) health and pharma—India's affordable generics and health-tech partnerships meet Africa's public health needs; (3) digital partnerships—payment systems, DPI-style solutions, tele-education/telemedicine; (4) renewables—solar and green hydrogen potential, with Indian experience and ISA linkages; (5) critical minerals partnerships for the green transition; and (6) defence exports and maritime capacity building in the Indian Ocean littoral.

Prelims Angle

• AfCFTA: African Continental Free Trade Area (market integration).
• Risk factors: political instability, currency risk, logistics gaps.
• Opportunity sectors: pharma, renewables, digital, minerals.

Mains Angle

• Write a balanced SWOT (Strengths–Weaknesses–Opportunities–Threats).
• Convert into policy asks: faster project delivery, risk insurance, corridor connectivity.
• Include people-first argument: skills, jobs, local value addition.

Recent Developments (2024-2026)

2024: Expansion of education cooperation continued through the India–Africa Maitri Scholarship announcements (for example, 940 ICCR scholarship slots for 2024–25 in scheme communications). Digital capacity-building through e-VidyaBharti/e-ArogyaBharti reported thousands of beneficiaries since 2019, reinforcing a shift to blended (physical + digital) cooperation.

2025: India–Africa trade crossed USD 100 billion in FY 2024–25 (as stated by the Government). Maritime cooperation became more visible through AIKEYME 2025, designed to enhance interoperability among maritime forces. India and the African Union also engaged on peace and security consultations, showing the widening of the relationship beyond economics.

Early 2026 signals: Energy procurement has shown renewed African sourcing (e.g., Angolan crude purchases reported in market coverage), while global reporting highlights China's post-pandemic financing pullback in Africa—creating space for differentiated models that emphasise sustainability, skills, and local ownership.

Prelims Angle

• 2024–25: trade crossed USD 100 bn (government statement).
• 2025: AIKEYME maritime engagement initiative.
• Scholarships: India–Africa Maitri (ICCR) announced large annual slots (e.g., 940 for 2024–25).

Mains Angle

• Use "momentum indicators": trade milestone, naval engagement, AU consultations.
• Show strategic context: competition, supply chains, and India's Global South narrative.
• Connect to outcomes: jobs, skills, digital inclusion, maritime stability.

Way Forward

A future-ready India–Africa strategy should convert political goodwill into measurable outcomes without diluting the partnership ethos. Key steps:

• Revive summit diplomacy: hold IAFS-IV with a focused, implementable agenda and monitoring mechanism.
• Fix project delivery: create faster LoC execution pipelines—better DPR quality, local capacity support, O&M planning, and transparent tracking.
• Trade diversification: move beyond commodities into pharma, engineering goods, digital services, agriculture value chains, and green tech.
• AfCFTA-ready approach: target regional value chains and logistics nodes; support standards and customs capacity-building.
• Digital public goods partnerships: expand scalable solutions in payments, identity, health records, and e-learning where requested.
• Critical minerals compact: joint exploration, processing, helps Africa's industrialisation and India's energy transition needs.
• Maritime security architecture: expand MDA, joint exercises, coastal security training, and HADR cooperation.
• People-to-people expansion: scholarships + skill-to-employment linkages; strengthen alumni and diaspora business networks.
• Triangular cooperation: select co-funded projects with Japan/EU/US where African priorities align, ensuring transparency and sustainability.
• Finance innovation: risk insurance, local currency settlement pilots, and blended finance to crowd-in private investment.

Prelims Angle

• Keywords: IAFS, LoC, ITEC, ICCR, e-VBAB, AfCFTA, MDA, SAGAR.
• High-yield facts: 2015 LoC/grant announcements; DFTP coverage; AU in G20.

Mains Angle

• Show implementability: timelines, monitoring, capacity-building for delivery.
• Use "partnership not patronage" language and propose measurable targets.
• Balance geopolitics with development outcomes (jobs, skills, health, connectivity).

UPSC Previous Year Questions

Prelims-Focused Quick Revision Points

• IAFS held in 2008, 2011, 2015; next summit pending.
• IAFS-III (2015): LoC USD 10 bn; grants USD 600 mn; 50,000 scholarships (starting 2015).
• India's development partnership is demand-driven, consultative and non-conditional.
• LoCs are extended through EXIM Bank for public-interest projects.
• Official LoC scale to Africa: around USD 12 bn to 40+ countries (hundreds of projects).
• ITEC is the key professional training programme; West Africa alone has ~1,260 slots/year.
• ICCR: India–Africa Maitri Scholarship scheme (large annual allocations; e.g., 940 for 2024–25 announced).
• Digital cooperation: e-VidyaBharti (education) and e-ArogyaBharti (telemedicine).
• DFTP scheme: preferential market access for LDCs; ~98.2% tariff lines covered.
• AU is a permanent member of G20 (since 2023 summit).
• Top trade partners (FY 2024–25): South Africa, Tanzania, Nigeria, Angola, Egypt.
• Security: AIKEYME 2025 marks expanded maritime cooperation.
• Strategic resources: Africa's critical minerals are vital for clean-energy supply chains.

Mains Practice Questions

1. India's Africa policy seeks to balance economic interests with development cooperation. Critically examine this approach and suggest reforms to enhance outcomes.
2. Discuss the strategic importance of Africa in India's Indo-Pacific vision and maritime security calculus.
3. Evaluate India's Lines of Credit model in Africa: achievements, implementation gaps, and reforms needed for faster delivery.
4. How can India leverage AfCFTA to integrate into African value chains while supporting Africa's industrialisation?
5. Compare India and China's engagement models in Africa. How should India strengthen its competitive advantage without losing its partnership ethos?
6. Analyse the role of the Indian diaspora in strengthening India–Africa relations and identify associated challenges.

Prelims MCQs

1. Which of the following best describes India's development partnership approach in Africa?

   • (a) Aid tied to governance conditionalities and policy reforms
   • (b) Consultative, demand-driven projects with capacity building and concessional finance
   • (c) Purely humanitarian assistance without long-term projects
   • (d) Military-first engagement focused on base building

   Answer: (b)

2. Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) scheme of India is primarily meant for:

   • (a) Developed countries under WTO plurilateral agreements
   • (b) Least Developed Countries to access the Indian market on preferential terms
   • (c) Only African Union members regardless of LDC status
   • (d) Only SAARC countries

   Answer: (b)

3. Which is the apex India–Africa political engagement platform?

   • (a) BRICS Outreach
   • (b) Indian Ocean Rim Association
   • (c) India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)
   • (d) BIMSTEC

   Answer: (c)

4. e-VidyaBharti and e-ArogyaBharti are best associated with:

   • (a) Port-led connectivity projects
   • (b) Tele-education and telemedicine cooperation with Africa
   • (c) Defence export financing
   • (d) Counter-terror financing coordination

   Answer: (b)

5. Which recent development strengthened Africa's representation in global economic governance, supported by India?

   • (a) AU becoming a permanent member of G20
   • (b) AU becoming a permanent member of WTO Appellate Body
   • (c) AU joining the UN Security Council as a permanent member
   • (d) AU joining OECD as a full member

   Answer: (a)