Deputy Trade Minister calls for stronger India-Africa partnerships in innovation & sustainable growth

Deputy Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Hon. Sampson Ahi, has called for deeper collaboration between India and Africa to drive prosperity, sustainability, and inclusive growth.

Delivering an address on behalf of the Sector Minister, Hon. Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, at the 20th India-Africa Business Conclave in New Delhi, on the theme “Co-Creating a Shared Future,” Hon. Ahi emphasised that the partnership must move beyond traditional donor-beneficiary relations to one based on co-investment, co-innovation, and co-creation.

He noted that India and Africa share common challenges such as rapid urbanisation, job creation, infrastructure development, and climate change, but also possess unique opportunities as two of the world’s fastest-growing regions with youthful populations. He highlighted transformative prospects in the mobility and energy sectors.

Outlining four pillars of renewed collaboration, the Deputy Minister proposed:

• Collaborative models for EV manufacturing that combine India’s expertise in software, battery management, and small EV platforms with Africa’s mineral resources to develop local ecosystems, create jobs, and support technical training.
• Affordable transport innovations inspired by India’s low-cost mobility solutions, including next-generation electric three-wheelers adapted to Africa’s terrain and community needs.
• Sustainable fuel adoption through biofuels and ethanol production from agricultural waste, modelled on India’s success, to boost farmer incomes, cut fossil fuel dependency, and reduce emissions.

Hon. Ahi concluded by urging stakeholders to translate discussions into practical alliances to accelerate development across both regions. On the sidelines of the event, he also visited exhibition stands.