A major milestone in Africa–China relations was marked in Accra with the official launch of the landmark volume Africa–China Linkages: Building Deeper and Broader Connections, at a high-level public forum hosted by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA).
The forum, themed “Africa–China Dialogues: Reimagining Africa-China Economic Futures,” brought together policymakers, economists, researchers, and development stakeholders to engage in forward-looking discussions on the future of Africa–China economic cooperation.
The newly launched volume, co-edited by Prof. Alfred Schipke, Director of the East Asian Institute (EAI) at the National University of Singapore and former IMF Mission Chief for China, was published by the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The book provides deep analysis of how trade, investment, and financing flows have contributed to Africa’s economic transformation and examines how China’s economic transition—towards green growth, innovation, and productivity-led development—will shape its future engagement with the continent.
In delivering the keynote and presenting the book’s key insights, Prof. Schipke emphasized the need for dynamic cooperation models rooted in shared prosperity, policy alignment, and institutional innovation. He noted, “This volume provides practical and policy-relevant tools for rethinking how Africa and China can build more sustainable and inclusive economic partnerships moving forward.”
The forum also featured a compelling panel discussion between Prof. Schipke and Dr. Samuel Darkwa, Governance Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana, who brought a governance and local policy perspective to the discussion. The panel explored pressing topics such as trade imbalances, value chain integration, debt management, and digital infrastructure development.
Speaking at the event, Paul Frimpong, Executive Director of ACCPA, stated:
“The launch of this volume here in Accra is not just symbolic—it reinforces our belief in African ownership of development narratives. Africa–China relations are evolving, and this book is a critical resource for policymakers and practitioners on both sides of the partnership.”
The Africa–China Dialogue forum drew participation from senior officials, academics, private sector leaders, and development organizations. The event forms part of ACCPA’s ongoing efforts to strengthen African-led policy discourse, build institutional linkages with Asian counterparts, and support evidence-based cooperation strategies across the Global South.
