External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar’s visit to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia last month should be assessed not merely by the number of agreements signed, but by how these partnerships build lasting capabilities across Africa. This would mean establishing manufacturing facilities instead of distribution hubs, local processing rather than dependence on raw material exports, skill development alongside employment generation, and regional supply networks beyond conventional bilateral trade. The broader objective of the tour was not merely to expand India’s presence from Accra to Abidjan and Addis Ababa, but to explore whether New Delhi could move beyond development assistance and establish partnerships focused on production, according to a report in India Narrative. When Ghana’s President John Mahama met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar in Accra on 6 October, he sought for more than goodwill. He wanted Indian investment in pharmaceuticals and vaccine production to build Ghana’s own manufacturing capacity. That request captures the purpose of Jaishankar’s visit to Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire and Ethiopia from 6 to 10 October. Each country plays a distinct role for India. Ghana is a potential production base in West Africa, Cote d’Ivoire an entry point into Francophone markets, and Ethiopia a gateway to the Horn of Africa and the African Union. The real significance lies in a shift in India’s approach, from a general continental template to differentiated partnerships built around the needs of individual countries. India’s engagement with Africa over the last 20 years has largely been through continental frameworks such as the India-Africa Forum Summits, concessional lines of credit and ITEC training. Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s ten guiding principles, announced in 2018, underscored India’s commitment to a partnership shaped by Africa’s needs and choices. Ghana provides an important starting point for channelling Indian investments into productive sectors across West Africa. Indian companies have established a presence in sectors ranging from pharmaceuticals and manufacturing to agriculture and construction. Meanwhile, Ghana’s 24-Hour Economy programme seeks to boost domestic production and generate employment. Building on the progress made during Prime Minister Modi’s visit last year, the discussions during EAM Jaishankar’s visit focused on areas such as pharmaceuticals, healthcare, mining, defence, railways and digital technologies.
India Looks to Build Productionled Partnerships Across Africa
