CSO Engagement with FOCAC: Growing Influence and Opportunities

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has emerged as one of the most consequential development partnerships for the African continent in recent decades. It governs and guides the trade and investment relationship between African countries and China. While primarily a state-to-state-driven process, civil society organizations (CSOs) have steadily increased their engagement and influence within FOCAC.

This was recently demonstrated at a two-day CSOs FOCAC Workshop in Machakos County Kenya, where participants came together to develop CSO recommendations ahead of the 9th FOCAC summit in 2024 and map out a roadmap for civil society’s engagement before, during, and after the FOCAC proceedings; The summit will be held from 3^rd to 8^th September 2024 in Beijing, China.

In the past, CSOs played a minimal role in FOCAC. However, their engagement and input into the process have expanded in recent years. CSO side events were organized as part of both the 2018 FOCAC Summit and the 2021 Ministerial Conference. Some CSOs have engaged by providing input into the preparations of country delegations and developing media briefings. Organizations like the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), WWF, and TRAFFIC have held regional workshops and webinars to help government focal points and CSOs prepare positions ahead of FOCAC meetings.

This increased outreach has yielded positive results. FOCAC declarations and action plans now incorporate more sustainability-focused language, reflecting CSO priorities. There is growing recognition of CSOs’ constructive influence at various stages of the FOCAC process.

Preparing for FOCAC 2024

As the next FOCAC summit approaches in 2024, CSOs can take several steps to amplify their voice. These include monitoring the implementation of sustainability commitments in the current 2022-2024 Action Plan, conducting research on FOCAC’s socio-environmental impacts in Africa, mobilizing African civil society participation through national and regional forums, supporting government delegations in preparations, collaborating with Chinese CSOs to advocate for a formal civil society role in the FOCAC process, and assisting the African Union Commission in developing a continentally-coordinated approach to the negotiations.

The Road Ahead

While FOCAC remains primarily an intergovernmental process, CSOs have made significant inroads in recent years. By continuing to offer constructive, evidence-based engagement focused on sustainability, civil society can play an increasingly impactful role in shaping this crucial partnership between China and Africa. As global challenges mount, elevating the voice of African civil society within FOCAC will be crucial for ensuring the partnership delivers meaningful, equitable, and socially and environmentally sustainable development outcomes.