By Soni Daniel

Stakeholders have recommended key strategies, which they believe hold the key to enabling African leaders and countries in attaining high-quality productive force and sustainable economic growth.

The new strategies were unveiled at a one-day seminar on “Enhancing China-Africa Cooperation in New Quality Productive Forces to Achieve Quality Growth,” held at the China Cultural Centre in Abuja.

The seminar, which was put together by the China Media Group (CMG) in collaboration with the University of Abuja, was attended by prominent figures including Mr. Wang Yingqi, Minister Counsellor at the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China; Professor Abdul-Rasheed Na’Allah, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Abuja; Eng. Yabagi Sani, National Chairman of the Action Democratic Party (ADP); top media executives, academic scholars, foreign policy experts, journalists, students, and members of the diplomatic community.

At the ceremony, the Chinese Minister Counsellor, Wang Yingqi, explained that the concept of ‘New Quality Productive Forces’ advocated by President Xi Jinping, involves advanced productivity characterised by high-tech innovations, high efficiency, and high quality with innovation playing a key role following the new development philosophy.

Yingqi said: “The driving forces behind New Quality Productive Forces include revolutionary technological advancements, innovative allocation of production factors, and profound industrial transformation and upgrading. The essence lies in enhancing the capabilities of workers, means of labour, subjects of labour, and their optimal combinations. The core feature is a significant increase in total factor productivity.

Yangqi made it clear that the development of New Quality Productive Forces does not entail neglecting or abandoning traditional industries.

He however pointed out that through fostering New Quality Productive Forces, China aims to advance traditional industries, making them more sophisticated, intelligent, and environmentally friendly. This transition is crucial for enhancing productivity, efficiency, and global competitiveness.

On his part, Professor Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research in Nigeria, introduced the China-Africa Consensus—a pioneering set of recommendations geared towards enhancing cooperation between China and Africa.

According to the director, the consensus, as an incremental initiative, aims to drive Africa’s growth and development while acknowledging China’s developmental trajectory and positioning it as a dependable partner in Africa’s progress.

The new paradigm outlines several critical factors essential for achieving a productive force in Africa, among them: a mixed economy, technological breakthroughs, export-led growth, boosting domestic production, industrial capacity building, fiscal discipline, incremental reforms, and a robust security architecture.

The Head of China Media Group in Nigeria, Mr. He Beiping, said the theme of the seminar, “New Quality Productive Forces” and “Achieve Quality Growth” would bring about significant development to the African continent by attracting more Chinese investors.

Beiping emphasised that China is currently engaged in research and development on various scientific and technological projects, providing African scholars with opportunities to participate in projects such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, and aerospace technology.

The Vice Chancellor of the University of Abuja, Prof Abdurasheed Na’Allah, said the university was delighted to be involved in some of the programmes and policies that China is implementing to deepen cooperation and development with Nigeria.