Illustration: Liu Rui/GT
By Endalkachew Sime
Recently, China released its 15th Five-Year Plan (2026-30) for National Economic and Social Development, which holds significant reference value for developing countries. This plan focuses on high-quality development, achieving greater self-reliance and strength in science and technology, and pursuing common prosperity for all. Africa's Agenda 2063 could benefit from adopting ideas from China's 15th Five-Year Plan.
Agenda 2063, created by the African Union (AU) as a 50-year strategic plan, outlines the continent's goals for shared wealth, political unity and sustainable development. Initiated in 2013, it encompasses seven aspirations covering sustainable development, peace and African unity.
In terms of the economy, China's 14th Five-Year Plan led to strong growth, with gross domestic product (GDP) rising from 103.5 trillion yuan ($14.4 trillion) in 2020 to 134.9 trillion yuan in 2024. With an average annual growth rate of 5.5 percent, China contributed approximately 30 percent annually to global economic growth, making it a key driver of world economic development. This highlights the success of the dual circulation strategy - a strategy that takes the domestic market as the mainstay while allowing domestic and international markets to reinforce each other - helping China withstand trade issues and supply problems. This approach challenges old notions of economic catch-up by demonstrating how government support can speed up growth in developing countries.
Agenda 2063's economic goals have produced mixed results. Data across Africa shows significant disparities: By 2024, only 10 countries reached over 50 percent of their targets, while 11 were below 30 percent. This gap points to how historical underdevelopment continues to create uneven progress. Africa's scattered advances differ from China's unified planning, highlighting the need for better tracking systems to turn goals into tangible results.
China's efforts to eradicate poverty represent a significant success achieved through targeted actions. By 2020, all 832 designated poor counties had been removed from the poverty list, lifting nearly 99 million rural residents out of extreme poverty. This was achieved through strategies such as infrastructure development and job training. These initiatives demonstrate how cycles of poverty, rooted in low productivity, can be effectively disrupted through government-led, data-driven efforts.
Africa's poverty situation remains deeply entrenched. The African Development Bank estimates that about 30 million Africans fell into extreme poverty in 2021. Ethiopia's plan has achieved some local progress, but it faces broader challenges such as conflicts that displace people and climate-related risks. This disparity highlights the global inequities that keep Africa on the brink. To bridge this gap, Agenda 2063 should learn from China's targeted approach, combining safety nets with varied economies to foster inclusive growth.
Infrastructure is key to economic strength. Africa faces a significant infrastructure deficit, requiring $130 to $170 billion annually to address gaps in transport, energy and digital sectors. This shortfall costs the continent 2 percent of GDP each year, perpetuating underdevelopment. In contrast, during China's 14th Five-Year Plan period, China's infrastructure has continued to gain new momentum and accelerate: By 2024, high-speed rail network reached 48,000 kilometers - over 70 percent of the global total - while expressways extended to 190,700 kilometers.
China's strong governance, characterized by upholding the overall leadership of the Communist Party of China and steady policies, has bolstered the success of the 14th Five-Year Plan.
The 15th Five-Year Plan sets the following major objectives: significant advancements in high-quality development; substantial improvements in scientific and technological self-reliance and strength; fresh breakthroughs in further deepening reform comprehensively; notable cultural and ethical progress across society; further improvements in quality of life; major new strides in advancing the Beautiful China Initiative; and further advances in strengthening the national security shield. During this period, China and African countries could further implement the ten partnership actions for modernization outlined at the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, which cover key areas including trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, agriculture and livelihoods, green development and joint security.
By drawing lessons from China's five-year plans - emphasizing targeted strategies, effective governance, and sustainable development - this approach can help transform the African continent's socio-economic landscape and contribute to fulfilling the goals of Agenda 2063, ultimately fostering growth and wealth for all African nations.
The author is vice chair of World Rural Tourism Council (WRTC), Africa chapter president of WRTC and former state minister of planning and development of Ethiopia. opinion@globaltimes.com.cn