"If the last few decades were of Asia's growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa's." In the…

Question

"If the last few decades were of Asia's growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa's." In the light of this statement, examine India's influence in Africa in recent years.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

India's influence in Africa has grown through trade, concessional credit, capacity building, health diplomacy and maritime security, though it lags China in scale and delivery. India-Africa trade crossed US$ 100 billion in 2024-25, and Indian credit lines worth over US$ 12 billion fund projects in more than 40 countries.

**Introduction**

Africa is the world's youngest continent, and the African Continental Free Trade Area (trading since 2021) aims to unite its markets. If the coming decades belong to Africa, India's influence there matters, and recent years show gains with clear limits.

**Instruments of India's Growing Influence**

1. **Trade and credit**: India-Africa trade crossed US$ 100 billion in 2024-25, and Indian lines of credit worth over US$ 12 billion fund power, rail and water projects in more than 40 countries.
2. **Diplomatic reach**: Eighteen new missions approved in 2018, and the African Union's G20 seat won under India's presidency in 2023, made India the voice of the Global South.
3. **Capacity and health**: ITEC, the 50,000 IAFS-III scholarships (2015) and Made-in-India vaccines, with Ghana the first COVAX recipient in 2021, built soft power.
4. **Maritime security**: India built an airstrip and jetty on Mauritius's Agalega island (2024) and co-hosted the AIKEYME exercise with Tanzania in 2025.

**Limits on India's Influence**

SKETCH: comparison | India vs China in Africa
a: India
b: China
- Trade ~US$ 100 bn :: Nearly three times
- Grants, credit, training :: Large state loans
- Local skills :: Turnkey projects
- Demand-driven :: Ports and a base

1. **Scale gap**: China's trade with Africa is nearly three times India's, backed by Belt and Road finance and a base in Djibouti.
2. **Delivery delays**: Credit-line projects run behind schedule, and summitry lost momentum after IAFS-III (2015).
3. **Shifting needs**: With 21 African nations in debt distress (RIS, 2026), Africa wants investment and technology more than loans.

**Conclusion**

India's influence has grown into a multi-sector presence, but it is a partner of choice rather than of scale. Faster delivery, solar partnerships and digital public infrastructure can make Africa's rise a shared story.

"If the last few decades were of Asia's growth story, the next few are expected to be of Africa's." In the light of this statement, examine India's influence in Africa in recent years.

Model answer

Practise this question

Bilateral7 questions

Ghissu