As India and Africa approach the fourth India–Africa Forum Summit, the next decade calls for a shift from capacity building to co-created, innovation-led people-to-people partnership
This piece is part of the series 'India–Africa Relations at a Strategic Crossroads: IAFS IV and Beyond'
Over two decades, India–Africa relations have undergone a transformation from a shared history of anti-colonial solidarity to a partnership spanning trade, development cooperation, and common advocacy within the Global South. The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) process has been central to this evolution. Its third edition in 2015 marked a decisive shift toward a “partnership of equals,” emphasising institution-building, human resource development (HRD), and capacity creation. These priorities have delivered tangible outcomes: thousands of African students and professionals have benefited from training programmes, while institutional linkages in education, governance, and technical cooperation have deepened significantly.
Yet, the global context of 2026 demands a recalibration. The nature of international engagement is changing, shaped by the rise of digital economies, the growing role of private capital, and the reconfiguration of global supply chains. Development partnerships are no longer driven solely by governments; they increasingly rely on networks that bring together businesses, universities, civil society, and diaspora communities. In this environment, people-to-people (P2P) engagement must evolve beyond traditional capacity-building frameworks.
As India and Africa prepare for the fourth IAFS, there is a compelling case for a “People-to-People Partnership 2.0” for the decade 2026–2036. This approach would build on earlier achievements while aligning cooperation with contemporary economic, technological, and social realities. It would place co-creation, innovation, and multi-stakeholder engagement at the heart of the partnership.
Human resource development has long been the backbone of India–Africa cooperation. Flagship initiatives such as the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation programme and Pan-African E Network Project enabled thousands of African professionals to acquire skills in India. Scholarships and training programmes have helped build a reservoir of goodwill and expertise across the continent.
African institutions, entrepreneurs, and researchers are no longer passive recipients; they are partners in innovation and knowledge generation.
The next phase must move beyond a unidirectional model of training toward genuine co-creation. African institutions, entrepreneurs, and researchers are no longer passive recipients; they are partners in innovation and knowledge generation. This transition requires three important shifts: from individual skill development to system-wide capacity building; from stand-alone training programmes to collaborative innovation ecosystems; and from scholarships to institutional partnerships with co-designed curricula.
Emerging examples point in this direction. The establishment of IIT Madras Zanzibar represents a significant leap, from exporting education to embedding knowledge ecosystems within Africa. With programmes in frontier areas such as data science and artificial intelligence, it integrates research, entrepreneurship, and industry linkages, creating a regional hub for innovation in East Africa.
Similarly, technology and entrepreneurship centres supported by India in countries such as Senegal demonstrate how skill development can translate into livelihoods when combined with incubation and enterprise support. The Entrepreneurship Development and Training Centre (EDTC) trained 5837 people in Senegal between 2001 and 2018 and recorded employment generation for 3,186 of them. The expansion of partnerships between the National Forensic Sciences University and African institutions illustrates how specialised education can address governance and security challenges while aligning with local priorities.
Such initiatives should be scaled into networks of Centres of Excellence that are embedded in local economies. These centres may be linked to industry, supported by apprenticeship systems, and integrated with job placement pipelines led by the private sector. By doing so, India–Africa P2P engagement can evolve from training individuals to nurturing innovation-driven societies aligned with Africa’s development aspirations, including those articulated in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
The coming decade will be defined by the growing influence of the private sector in development partnerships. Indian companies, particularly MSMEs and startups, have demonstrated their ability to adapt to African markets by delivering cost-effective and context-sensitive solutions.
An expanded India–Africa MSME and Startup Bridge could serve as a cornerstone of P2P engagement. Such a platform would facilitate joint ventures, promote technology transfer, and enable the localisation of business models. It would also provide access to blended finance, venture capital, and incubation networks across both regions.
An expanded India–Africa MSME and Startup Bridge could serve as a cornerstone of P2P engagement. Such a platform would facilitate joint ventures, promote technology transfer, and enable the localisation of business models.
Startups, in particular, offer a powerful channel for people-to-people interaction. Innovation hubs in cities such as Bengaluru, Nairobi, Lagos, Cape Town, and Kigali can collaborate to create transnational entrepreneurial ecosystems. These networks can address shared challenges, from fintech and digital inclusion to healthcare delivery and agricultural productivity.
Reviving structured internship and entrepreneurship programmes for African students in India—successfully piloted in earlier years—could further strengthen these linkages by connecting education directly to enterprise creation.
A modern P2P partnership must also leverage the strengths of non-governmental actors. Universities, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organisations bring agility, domain expertise, and grassroots reach that complement state-led initiatives.
Academic institutions can deepen research collaboration and policy dialogue, while think tanks can provide analytical frameworks for addressing shared challenges. Foundations and impact investors are active in education, healthcare, and climate resilience, acting as catalysts for scalable innovation. They gather annually at the Sankalp Africa Summit in Nairobi.
A modern P2P partnership must also leverage the strengths of non-governmental actors. Universities, think tanks, foundations, and civil society organisations bring agility, domain expertise, and grassroots reach that complement state-led initiatives.
Cultural organisations and media platforms play a vital role in shaping narratives and fostering understanding. Their current participation, however, is episodic and not sustained. The Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) invites African scholars and groups, and also sends Indian groups. However, there is a lack of reciprocity, which can be bridged by private efforts. Media companies could play a greater role. The India Africa Editors Conference could be revived. Establishing an India–Africa Knowledge and Civil Society Network would help institutionalise these interactions, beyond official diplomatic channels.
Digital technology will underpin the next phase of India–Africa engagement. Africa’s search for inclusive solutions aligns closely with India’s experience in building Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI). Six African countries have been identified as key partners for adopting India’s DPI framework, including Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Kenya, Ethiopia, The Gambia, and Lesotho.
Enhanced digital connectivity can enable a wide range of P2P interactions: online education, telemedicine, e-commerce, and virtual cultural exchanges. A dedicated India–Africa Digital Partnership Initiative could facilitate the transfer and adaptation of DPI models while building capacities in cybersecurity and digital governance.
Healthcare and skill development remain central pillars of P2P engagement, but they must be reimagined for contemporary needs. India’s strengths in affordable pharmaceuticals and healthcare delivery can be leveraged through joint hospital ventures, telemedicine networks, and training programmes for medical personnel.
At the same time, Africa’s rapidly growing workforce presents opportunities for collaboration in vocational education and labour mobility. An India–Africa Skills Mobility Partnership could enable mutual recognition of qualifications, standardised certification systems, and structured pathways for skilled migration. Such initiatives would not only address labour market gaps but also generate economic benefits for both regions.
The Indian diaspora in Africa continues to serve as a vital bridge between the two regions. Traditionally active in trade and commerce, diaspora communities are now increasingly involved in sectors such as education, healthcare, and social entrepreneurship.
A structured Diaspora Development Partnership framework for 2026–2036 could channel this potential more effectively. Such a framework would encourage diaspora investment in startups and social enterprises, facilitate mentoring and knowledge-sharing programmes, and support community-driven development initiatives. Institutional platforms—such as business and professional forums linked to Indian missions—can further enhance coordination and impact.
The forthcoming fourth IAFS presents an opportunity to articulate a comprehensive roadmap for the next decade. This roadmap could rest on eight interconnected pillars: knowledge and education partnerships; private sector and startup collaboration; civil society and knowledge networks; triangular cooperation frameworks; digital partnership initiatives; healthcare and skills mobility; cultural and media engagement; and diaspora participation.
Scaling up P2P engagement will require innovative approaches to financing. Triangular cooperation—bringing together India, African countries, and third partners such as multilateral institutions or development agencies—offers a promising pathway.
Each pillar must be supported by clear implementation mechanisms, measurable outcomes, and sustained political commitment. Institutional innovations—such as dedicated funds, monitoring frameworks, and multi-stakeholder platforms—will be essential to translate vision into action.
Scaling up P2P engagement will require innovative approaches to financing. Triangular cooperation—bringing together India, African countries, and third partners such as multilateral institutions or development agencies—offers a promising pathway.
Such arrangements enable the pooling of resources, access to global expertise, and risk-sharing across partners. They also align well with global development frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals. For instance, collaborations involving India, Africa, and partners like Japan or the European Union could support large-scale initiatives in healthcare, digital infrastructure, and climate adaptation.
Blended finance models—combining public funding, private investment, and philanthropic capital—will be essential. The creation of a dedicated India–Africa Partnership Fund could provide a structured mechanism to support P2P initiatives across sectors, ensuring both scale and sustainability.
India and Africa stand at a pivotal moment in their partnership. The transition from capacity-building to co-creation reflects broader shifts in the global order, where collaboration is increasingly networked, inclusive, and innovation-driven. A People-to-People Partnership 2.0 for 2026–2036 can harness these trends, aligning India’s institutional strengths with Africa’s aspirations for inclusive growth and transformation.
If anchored in the framework outlined above and endorsed at IAFS-IV, this approach can deliver tangible outcomes—stronger institutions, dynamic economies, and deeper societal linkages. More importantly, it can reinforce a model of South–South cooperation that is equitable, forward-looking, and resilient in an era of global uncertainty.
Gurjit Singh has served as India's ambassador to Germany, Indonesia, Ethiopia, ASEAN, and the African Union.
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Gurjit Singh has served as Indias ambassador to Germany Indonesia Ethiopia ASEAN and the African Union. He is the Chair of CII Task Force on ...
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