Supporting Africa’s agri modernization – China Daily
sdgtalks
China’s Experience in Driving Africa’s Agricultural Modernization
ADDIS ABABA — China’s successful experience and technological advancements serve as an instructive model for driving Africa’s agricultural modernization ambitions through robust industrialization, energy development, and human capital enhancement, a United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) official said.
China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence
Dejene Tezera, director of the Agribusiness and Infrastructure Development Division at UNIDO, told Xinhua recently that China possesses the knowledge, technology, and relevant resources to support Africa’s sustainable development through cooperation in agriculture, industry, energy, capacity building, and digitalization.
The China-Africa-UNIDO Center of Excellence, launched in November 2024 in Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian capital, is a practical platform for advancing Africa’s sustainable development by promoting industrialization, agricultural modernization, and skills development, Tezera said.
Challenges and Potential
“Africa faces many development challenges, the most critical of which are low levels of industrialization, agricultural productivity, and a shortage of skilled human resources,” he said. Despite Africa’s vast uncultivated arable land, abundant water resources, and a highly trainable young population offering “huge potential” for its agricultural sector, productivity remains low compared to other regions.
Coordinated Efforts for Accelerated Development
To accelerate Africa’s pursuit of agricultural modernization and improved productivity, the UN official underscored the urgent need for coordinated efforts.
Tripartite Initiative
Describing the center of excellence as a testament to thriving South-South cooperation, Tezera said China contributes its knowledge, technology, and resources into the successful collaboration, while Ethiopia provides facilities and a supportive ecosystem for implementation, and UNIDO acts as the bridge ensuring technical assistance and coordination.
He said the tripartite initiative aims to help African countries shift from a demand-based agricultural production approach to a more commercialized production system through modernization.
Technology Transfer from China
“There is a very high potential to boost Africa’s agricultural productivity if the right technologies, knowledge, and skills are made available to African farmers. China has undergone similar agricultural development, and we aim to leverage best practices from China to expedite Africa’s agricultural modernization through targeted technology transfer endeavors,” he said.
Industrialization Efforts
Highlighting the industry sector’s “very low contribution” to the economy of many African countries, Tezera said that China’s industrialization experience could provide the necessary impetus for Africa’s industrialization efforts.
“China’s industrialization journey, especially following the country’s opening-up, has involved the development of industrial parks and zones, which can serve as an excellent approach to accelerate Africa’s industrialization. By transferring best practices from China, Africa can leapfrog into a modern agricultural system and subsequently into industrialization,” he said.
Role of Renewable Energy
Tezera also emphasized the role of the energy sector in achieving Africa’s agricultural modernization goals. He said that China’s “extensive experience” in renewable energy development, including solar, wind, and hydropower, can be tailored to meet Africa’s specific energy needs.
“All of these technologies will be systematically adapted in a step-by-step manner through the center of excellence, which will engage with numerous African countries based on their specific contexts and needs,” he added.
Expansion and Financial Support
He said that the center of excellence, initially focusing on Ethiopia, aims to establish satellite centers across various African countries, thereby making a contribution to the continent’s sustainable development.
“China is providing substantial financial resources to support African countries based on their needs, which facilitates the transfer of more practical and appropriate technologies from China to the African continent,” he said.
XINHUA
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 2: Zero Hunger | 2.3: Double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers | – Increase in agricultural productivity – Increase in incomes of small-scale food producers |
| SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure | 9.3: Increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services | – Increase in access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | 7.2: Increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix | – Increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix |
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship | – Increase in the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
The SDGs addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article are SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, and SDG 4: Quality Education.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Under SDG 2: Zero Hunger, the specific target is to double the agricultural productivity and incomes of small-scale food producers (Target 2.3).
- Under SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure, the specific target is to increase the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services (Target 9.3).
- Under SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy, the specific target is to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix (Target 7.2).
- Under SDG 4: Quality Education, the specific target is to increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship (Target 4.4).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- For Target 2.3, indicators that can be used to measure progress include an increase in agricultural productivity and an increase in incomes of small-scale food producers.
- For Target 9.3, the indicator that can be used to measure progress is an increase in the access of small-scale industrial and other enterprises to financial services.
- For Target 7.2, the indicator that can be used to measure progress is an increase in the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- For Target 4.4, the indicator that can be used to measure progress is an increase in the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment, decent jobs, and entrepreneurship.
Source: chinadaily.com.cn
