New Delhi, India — A renewed call for stronger South-South cooperation echoed from New Delhi on Wednesday, as H.E. Gen. (Retd) Dr. C.G.D.N. Chiwenga, Vice President of Zimbabwe, told a gathering of global leaders that India and Africa together can write the “next great chapter” of equitable global growth.
Speaking at the opening of the CII India-Africa Business Conclave 2025, themed “Synergies towards Co-Creating a Shared Future,” Dr. Chiwenga emphasised that Africa is not merely a continent rich in resources, but a hub of youthful talent, innovation, and expanding markets.
“Africa is home to one of the fastest-growing populations and the youngest minds. By 2050, with over 2.5 billion people, it will drive consumer demand, industrialisation, and infrastructure development on an unprecedented scale,” he said.
Zimbabwe’s Investment Push
Dr. Chiwenga highlighted Zimbabwe’s roadmap to attain upper middle-income status by 2030, calling on Indian investors to explore opportunities in:
- Lithium mining for electric mobility and renewable energy storage
- Agriculture and food processing
- Pharmaceuticals and healthcare manufacturing
- ICT, digital services, and infrastructure
He underscored Zimbabwe’s special economic zones, youthful workforce, and reforms as catalysts for transforming the nation into a competitive investment hub.
India’s Commitment to Africa
Reiterating India’s long-standing development partnership with Africa, Kirti Vardhan Singh, Minister of State for External Affairs, said India remains committed to Africa’s digital transformation, energy transition, and capacity building.
“Today, we have not only created vibrant development cooperation together, but also committed to shaping a brighter future for generations to come. Our shared emphasis on trust and transparency makes India and Africa natural partners,” Singh said.
Industry Leaders Weigh In
- CII President Rajiv Memani stressed that India-Africa ties extend beyond trade, positioning both regions as voices of the Global South in building a fairer economic order.
- Sudarshan Venu, MD, TVS Motor Company, spoke of mobility opportunities, including two- and three-wheeler markets that cater to Africa’s rising urbanisation.
- Saurav Chatterjee, CEO, CARE Ratings Africa, called for the creation of a pan-African credit rating agency to boost SME financing and investor confidence.
Energy and Green Growth
From the African side, Mohamed Ouhmed, Secretary General of Morocco’s Ministry of Energy Transition, called for joint efforts in renewable energy development, regional power integration, and localized technology adaptation to accelerate Africa’s green growth.
Global Significance
This year’s India-Africa Conclave has drawn 1,600 delegates from 64 countries, including 17 non-African nations — reflecting the rising global interest in Indo-African collaboration. Experts note that the partnership is increasingly seen as a model for sustainable South-South cooperation, particularly in areas of climate action, food security, and digital transformation.
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