India Targets Doubling Trade with Africa by 2030 | 26 Aug 2024

Source: HT

Why in News?

Recently at the 19^th India-Africa Business Conclave, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in New Delhi India has unveiled an ambitious plan to double its exports to African countries to USD 200 billion by 2030. 

• This strategic push is aimed at bolstering economic ties and addressing mutual challenges and opportunities.

How will India Double its Exports to African Countries?

• Targeting High-Growth Sectors: 
  • Agriculture and Agro-Products: Indian companies are poised to help Africa enhance its food production capacity by sharing advanced seed technologies, agro-processing methods, and setting up incubation centers.
    • India can significantly enhance Africa's food security by technology transfer, and expanding bilateral trade which reached USD 100 billion in 2022.
  • Pharmaceuticals: With pharmaceutical exports to Africa already at USD 3.8 billion in 2023, there is significant potential for growth as India can provide affordable medicines and healthcare solutions.
  • Automobiles: India aims to expand its automobile exports by tapping into Africa's growing demand for vehicles, particularly two-wheelers and affordable cars.
  • Renewable Energy: India and Africa are uniquely positioned to lead in renewable energy, particularly solar power. The vision of "One World, One Grid" aims to connect energy grids overland and underwater.
    • India's expertise in solar  energy, wind power, and  energy-efficient solutions found resonance in Africa's pursuit of  sustainable energy sources.
    • More than 20 African countries are participating in the International Solar Alliance (ISA), reflecting a strong commitment to renewable energy collaboration.
• Logistics and Transportation: Improvements in logistics and transportation infrastructure are seen as crucial for facilitating smoother trade flows between India and African nations.
  • India plans to share its PM Gati Shakti master plan and Unified Logistics Interface Portal (ULIP) with Africa to support the development of efficient logistics infrastructure and multimodal connectivity.
  • The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has identified automobiles and logistics as areas with substantial potential for collaboration between India and Africa.
    • The AfCFTA is a free trade agreement designed to facilitate duty-free trade within Africa. It aims to eliminate tariffs and non-tariff barriers among member states while promoting the free movement of goods, services, and people. 
    • This initiative is part of Africa’s Development Framework Agenda 2063, which envisions a unified economic market across the continent.
    • India’s current trade with Africa includes a wide range of products, from crude oil to chemicals and textiles. The AfCFTA’s push towards trade diversification and value addition can align well with India’s export interests and investment strategies.
• Unified Approach to WTO Reforms: India has called for a unified African stance on World Trade Organisation (WTO) reforms, particularly in areas such as food security, agriculture, and technology transfer.
  • A coordinated approach is essential to push through necessary changes in the global trade environment, which has become increasingly protectionist.
• Duty-Free Tariff Preference and FTAs: India extends Duty-Free Tariff Preference (DFTP) to 27 Least Developed Countries (LDCs) in Africa on a non-reciprocal basis. 
  • The DFTP Scheme by India grants tariff preferences on imports to India from the LDCs, which are developing countries with the lowest socioeconomic indicators.
  • Additionally, India is keen to explore new Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with African nations, including South Africa, to boost trade volumes and diversify the range of goods exchanged.
• Strategic Cooperation: 
  • Support for African Union: India has been instrumental in advocating for the African Union’s full membership in the G20, further solidifying its commitment to elevating African voices on the global stage.
  • Special Economic Zones (SEZs): India encourages its investors to establish strong footprints in Africa’s manufacturing zones and considers expanding SEZs as a means of deepening economic ties.
  • Global South Representation: India aims to be a leading voice for the Global South, advocating for equitable and inclusive growth at multilateral forums, aligning with the broader goal of strengthening the geopolitical and economic position of developing nations, including those in Africa.

What are the Current Trends in India-Africa Trade?

• Trade Figures: Bilateral trade between India and Africa grew by 9.26% in FY 2022-23, reaching nearly USD 100 billion. Exports were valued at USD 51.2 billion, and imports at USD 46.65 billion.
  
  • In FY24, India exported goods worth USD 38.17 billion to African countries, with key destinations including Nigeria, South Africa, and Tanzania.
  • Major exports included petroleum products, engineering goods, pharmaceuticals, rice, and textiles.
  • The African Union is India's fourth-largest trading partner, following the United States, China, and the United Arab Emirates. 
    • Within the African Union, Nigeria is India's top trading partner, accounting for 20.91% of trade. 
• Import Composition: India's imports from Africa are primarily dominated by primary products and natural resources. The top imports include:
  • Fuels: Making up 61% of imports, primarily crude oil from Nigeria, Angola, and Algeria.
  • Precious Stones and Glass: Accounting for 20%, sourced from Ghana, South Africa, and Botswana.
  • Vegetables, Metals, and Minerals: Sourced from various African countries including Benin, Sudan, Zambia, South Africa, Morocco, and Côte d'Ivoire.
• Export Composition: 
  • Fuels: 20%, including non-crude petroleum oil to countries such as Mozambique, Togo, Tanzania, Kenya, and South Africa.
  • Chemicals: 18.5%, including pharmaceuticals to Nigeria, Egypt, and Kenya.
  • Machines and Electricals: 12.59%, exported to Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt.
• Economic Investments: India has invested over USD 12.37 billion in 206 infrastructure projects across 43 African countries, which has positively impacted millions of lives.

What are the Challenges for India-Africa Trade?

• Addressing Non-Tariff Barriers: India's agricultural exports face significant hurdles due to the European Union’s stringent food safety standards, which limit exports of products like chilies, tea, basmati rice, and others. 
  • These regulations not only affect India's trade with the EU but also indirectly impact its trade with African nations, especially those that align with EU standards.
  • By advocating for relaxed standards, India can facilitate smoother trade flows, reduce compliance costs, and enhance the competitiveness of its agricultural exports in both the European and African markets.
• WTO Reforms for Developing Nations: The 13th WTO Ministerial Conference highlighted the inability to achieve consensus on key issues such as agriculture, technology transfer, and food security.
  
  • This lack of agreement affects global trade policies and negotiations, directly impacting developing nations, including those in Africa.
  • The failure to reform agricultural subsidies and tariffs at the WTO hampers African countries' ability to compete globally and limits fair trade, affecting India as a major trade partner by imposing barriers on agricultural exports to Africa.
    • Additionally, unresolved WTO issues on quality standards and trade practices can damage the reputation of Indian products in African markets, impacting their perception and competitiveness compared to China.
• Debt Concerns: The rising debt ratios in sub-Saharan Africa have nearly doubled in the past decade.
  • The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has highlighted these concerns, noting that the escalating debt burden is creating economic instability in the region.
  • Due to their debt-ridden economy, many low-income countries in sub-Saharan Africa are at high risk of or already experiencing debt distress as of 2022, presenting a significant challenge for India-Africa trade.
• Chinese Influence: China's role as the largest single-country trading partner for sub-Saharan Africa introduces additional challenges. 
  
  • China’s dominance in purchasing a substantial portion of the region's exports and providing manufactured goods and machinery has established a significant economic footprint. 
    • However, this relationship is marred by criticism regarding the use of debt trap diplomacy and the lack of standardisation in public debt documentation.
  • These factors create an uneven playing field for other trade partners like India, impacting the dynamics of India-Africa trade.

Way Forward

• Trade Agreements: India has a history of preferential trade agreements with African nations, including the India-Mauritius Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement (CECPA). Expanding and deepening such agreements will be crucial for increasing trade volumes.
• Investing in African SMEs: Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) account for nearly 80% of employment in Africa. By providing access to low-cost raw materials and inputs, India can foster the growth of African SMEs, which will, in turn, create new opportunities for Indian exports.
• Critical Minerals: India-Africa trade can leverage Africa's rich deposits of critical minerals, such as cobalt, copper, lithium, nickel, and rare earths, which are essential for India's green energy transition. 
  • These minerals can be used in the manufacturing of electric vehicles (EVs) and other renewable energy technologies, positioning Africa as a key supplier to Indian industries. 
  • This partnership can enable India and Africa to drive mutual benefits and bolster their positions in the green energy sector.
• Digital Innovations: India’s Startup Revolution and digital public infrastructure, such as Unified Payment Interface (UPI), and Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), can enhance the Ease of Doing Business and quality of life in Africa and enhance trade with India.