Uganda’s PDM should tap into Forum on China-Africa Cooperation’s Action Plan 2022-2024
By Allawi Ssemanda
Last month, the government of Uganda signed the Agreement of Economic and Technical Cooperation on Grant Aid (AETCGA) with the government of Popole’s Republic of China. The signed agreement is part of the two countries’ efforts in implementing development projects in Uganda under Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) 8th ministerial conference that highlighted nine programs to focus on. This agreement signed by finance minister, Matia Kasaija and Ambassador Zhang Lizhong on behalf of Uganda and China respectively will see China disbursing USD 20 million to support Uganda’s social and livelihoods projects.
If critically analysed, one can argue that less than six months after Darkar declaration in which 53 African countries and China under FOCAC identified nine areas to be fund and supported by China over next two years, it is becoming clear that Uganda and other African countries under FOCAC can benefit from China-Africa cooperation where under a win-win cooperation, African countries can identify areas that need support. Indeed, while signing AETCGA, Uganda’s finance minister, Matia Kasaija observed that such support from China contributes to Uganda’s socioeconomic transformation.
Broadly, the nine areas identified by African countries to be supported by China for the period 2022-2024 will focus on: peace and security, capacity building, people-to-people relations, poverty reduction and promotion of trade and investments in African countries. The others are supporting medical and health programs, supporting agricultural programs, green development, and digital innovation. All these areas are vital for sustained the socio-economic development of Uganda, and Africa in general.
In Uganda’s context, if implemented, identified areas will help the country realise objectives and goals of Parish Development Model whose end gaol is reducing poverty. Aware that African countries are still grappling with extreme poverty which China eradicated early last year, through FOCAC arrangement, Ugandan policy makers and Africa’s in general can engage China to support identified areas such as; capacity building, poverty reduction, promotion of trade and investments, people-to-people relations, digital innovation, supporting of medical and health programs as a sure way of reducing eradicating extreme poverty on the continent. China in this case can offer good lessons sharing with African governments on how they managed to eradicate poverty.
Despite hardships developing countries face, China was able to eradicated extreme poverty among her huge population of 1.4 billion people, and has consequently successfully built a moderately prosperous society. As I write this, Beijing has already set another ambitious target of building a country of high-quality development also known as “common prosperity”.
However, as we think to borrow ideas of development from China, developing countries must as well seriously look at the role of leadership in development of societies/countries. Arguably, we must note that for any country to develop – at least using China’s example, leadership plays a key role in development. Also, for any country to achieve meaningful development, people must be at the centre of such development efforts. This helps in ensuring inclusive development which is key in ensuring prosperity.
For example, in his paper: “To Firmly Drive Common Prosperity”, President Xi explains that while China succeeded in ending extreme poverty, they still face a tough challenge of ensuring equal development between urban and rural people and reducing the gap between rich and the poor stressing that this impedes common prosperity. This to happen, leaders must help citizens create their realistic desired vision and then support them to achieve stated goals.
Therefore, as African countries embark on implementing projects identified in nine areas under FOCAC action plan for 2022-2024, policy makers and leaders must be mindful and ensure that all projects undertaken have reflect interests of citizens and inclusive development. African governments must use the opportunity of China’s willingness to discuss which project needs to be funded and select funds that directly touch livelihood of people.
The author is Executive Director of Development Watch Centre; a foreign policy think tank.
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