By Nonhlanhla Ndlovu

As the world becomes increasingly consumed by geopolitical rivalry, trade disputes and security tensions, one issue risks being pushed to the margins of international politics: development.

It is against this backdrop that China marked the fifth anniversary of the Global Development Initiative (GDI), first proposed by President Xi Jinping at the United Nations General Assembly in 2021. Speaking at a high-level meeting in Beijing, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi argued that the initiative has evolved from a Chinese proposal into a global development platform, with the backing of more than 130 countries and international organisations and nearly 100 cooperation agreements.

Whether one agrees with every aspect of Beijing’s foreign policy or not, the central message deserves attention, particularly in Africa. The world cannot hope to achieve peace, stability and shared prosperity if development continues to lose ground to geopolitical competition.

For African countries, where economic transformation remains the overriding priority, this is more than a diplomatic debate. It is a practical question about how the continent secures investment, technology, infrastructure and skills to improve the lives of its people.

The reality is that Africa enters the second half of this decade facing significant development pressures. Economic growth has recovered unevenly following the COVID-19 pandemic. Climate change continues to threaten food security. Youth unemployment remains stubbornly high in many countries. Infrastructure gaps persist, while public finances have come under pressure from rising debt-servicing costs and higher borrowing rates.

Against this backdrop, the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are slipping further out of reach. According to the UN, progress on many of the goals is either slowing or reversing, particularly in developing countries.

It is therefore unsurprising that initiatives focused on development continue to resonate across the Global South.

China argues that over the past five years the GDI has mobilised more than US$23 billion for development cooperation, supported more than 1,800 community-based livelihood projects and trained over 200,000 professionals. These initiatives range from agricultural cooperation and disaster management to satellite technology, education, healthcare and digital innovation.

For many African countries, these are not abstract policy discussions. They address real developmental needs.

Across the continent, Chinese-built roads, ports, railways, industrial parks, hospitals and energy infrastructure have become visible symbols of a relationship that has expanded dramatically over the past two decades. While opinions differ on the long-term economic implications of some projects, few dispute that Chinese investment has become an important component of Africa’s development landscape.

However, Africa’s engagement with China has also matured.

The continent is no longer approaching international partnerships from a position of dependence. Increasingly, African governments are pursuing diversified relationships with multiple global partners, including China, the European Union, the United States, India, Japan, Türkiye, the Gulf states and multilateral development institutions.

This reflects a growing confidence in African diplomacy.

Rather than choosing sides in an increasingly polarised international system, African countries are choosing interests.

That approach should continue.

The value of any international partnership should ultimately be measured not by political rhetoric but by tangible developmental outcomes. Does it create decent jobs? Does it strengthen local industries? Does it transfer technology? Does it improve skills? Does it expand opportunities for young entrepreneurs? Does it leave countries more self-reliant than before?

These are the questions African policymakers should ask of every development initiative, regardless of where it originates.

One of the more significant aspects of Wang Yi’s address was China’s emphasis on technology cooperation, particularly in artificial intelligence. The announcement of the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization reflects growing recognition that future economic competitiveness will increasingly depend on digital capabilities.

Africa cannot afford to become a passive consumer of emerging technologies.

The continent has one of the world’s youngest populations, a rapidly expanding digital economy and growing innovation hubs from Cape Town and Nairobi to Lagos, Kigali and Cairo. Partnerships that strengthen research, digital infrastructure, skills development and technology transfer could help Africa narrow the digital divide that continues to separate many developing countries from advanced economies.

Yet technology cooperation must also be guided by clear principles.

African countries will need robust frameworks for data governance, cybersecurity, privacy protection and ethical artificial intelligence. As governments embrace digital transformation, safeguarding digital sovereignty should become an integral part of development planning.

Another important element of Wang Yi’s remarks was his call for reforms to global governance and greater attention to the priorities of the Global South.

Here too, Africa has a direct stake.

For decades, African leaders have argued that international financial institutions and global governance structures no longer reflect today’s geopolitical realities. Calls for reform of the United Nations Security Council, greater African representation in global decision-making and more equitable development financing have become increasingly prominent.

China’s support for strengthening the development pillar of the United Nations aligns with these broader conversations. But meaningful reform requires commitment from all major powers. The responsibility does not rest with Beijing alone. Developed countries must also honour long-standing commitments on climate finance, development assistance and technology transfer if the Sustainable Development Goals are to remain achievable.

At the same time, Africa must recognise that external partnerships alone cannot deliver sustainable development.

Good governance, sound economic management, policy certainty, institutional accountability and the effective use of public resources remain fundamental responsibilities of African governments. International cooperation can complement domestic development strategies, but it cannot substitute for them.

Perhaps the greatest lesson from the first five years of the Global Development Initiative is that Africa has greater agency than ever before.

The continent is no longer merely a destination for development assistance. It is increasingly shaping international debates through the African Union, the G20, BRICS, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and other multilateral platforms. Its demographic growth, expanding consumer markets, abundant natural resources and strategic importance mean that global powers are paying closer attention to African priorities.

That leverage should be used wisely.

Africa should engage China with confidence, just as it engages all international partners—with clarity about national interests, insistence on transparency and accountability, and a focus on long-term economic transformation rather than short-term gains.

Five years after its launch, the Global Development Initiative should not be judged solely by the number of participating countries or the value of financial commitments announced. Its true success will ultimately be measured in classrooms built, jobs created, businesses supported, farmers empowered, technologies transferred and communities lifted out of poverty.

For Africa, that is the only metric that truly matters.

As discussions begin on the United Nations’ post-2030 development agenda, African countries have an opportunity not only to contribute but to lead. If the Global Development Initiative helps amplify African priorities while supporting Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals, it can become an important instrument for inclusive growth. But success will depend on partnerships based on mutual respect, shared responsibility and measurable outcomes.

Development should never become another arena for geopolitical contestation. It should remain a common global objective. Africa’s future will be strongest when it works with all willing partners while remaining firmly in control of its own development journey.