The Chinese Government recently convened a high-level stakeholders’ forum centered on the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), a strategic framework proposed by Chinese President Xi Jinping aimed at fostering international cooperation, addressing global challenges, and reforming the global governance system. The forum, themed “Opportunities for China-Africa Cooperation under the GGI,” was designed to enhance the bilateral relationship between China and Nigeria, with a particular focus on unlocking business opportunities, promoting economic growth, and fostering collaboration across Africa. The event brought together policymakers, academics, media representatives, and other stakeholders to discuss how the GGI can serve as a catalyst for transformative global governance and a stronger China-Nigeria partnership.
In her opening remarks, Mrs. Dong Hairong, Counselor at the Embassy of China, underscored the significance of the GGI as a public good offered by China to the global community. She highlighted that the GGI, alongside the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), forms the four pillars of China’s vision for building a community with a shared future for mankind. These initiatives collectively aim to address pressing global challenges, promote equitable governance, and foster international collaboration in resolving disputes.
Mrs. Dong painted a sobering picture of the current global landscape, noting that the world is far from peaceful or stable. She pointed to ongoing geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, regional conflicts, and public health crises, some of which are acutely felt on the African continent. She emphasized that the United Nations (U.N.) and the broader framework of multilateralism are under strain, with U.N. resolutions often ignored and the authority of international institutions undermined. According to Mrs. Dong, the international system is underperforming, placing global governance at a critical juncture.
In response to these challenges, the GGI has been proposed as a framework to explore innovative paths for improving global governance through collective efforts by nations and multilateral mechanisms. The initiative is anchored in five core principles: sovereign equality, adherence to the international rule of law, the practice of multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and a focus on tangible actions. These principles have garnered widespread recognition, particularly from the Nigerian government, which sees them as aligning closely with the needs of China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation.
Mrs. Dong highlighted the unique position of Africa, which comprises 54 U.N. member states and represents the largest concentration of developing countries. Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous nation and a major economic powerhouse, shares significant commonalities with China, the world’s largest developing country. This shared identity forms the foundation for a robust partnership, which has been elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. This milestone has yielded substantial outcomes in practical cooperation, including China’s expansion of zero-tariff treatment to cover 100 percent of tariff lines for all 53 African countries with diplomatic ties to China.
The GGI, according to Mrs. Dong, offers a new platform for reforming the global governance system and transforming the international order to better serve all nations, particularly those in the Global South. China is committed to working with African countries, including Nigeria, under the GGI framework to build a more just and equitable global governance system. This includes advocating for reforms in key institutions such as the U.N. Security Council and the international financial system to address the under-representation of the Global South and rectify historical injustices. The initiative also seeks to enhance coordination among multilateral bodies and prioritize consensus-building in critical areas such as international financial architecture, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate change, trade, and outer space.
Mrs. Dong expressed China’s eagerness to hear insights from Nigerian academics, media, and other stakeholders on how to harness the potential of the GGI. She hoped the forum would spark intellectual synergy and foster greater mutual understanding, paving the way for both countries to jointly pursue a shared future for humanity.
Nigeria’s Perspective: A Call for Transformative Cooperation
Dr. Joseph Tsegbe, Director-General of the Nigeria-China Strategic Partnership, delivered a goodwill message that underscored the importance of the Nigeria-China relationship in driving transformative change. He emphasized the need for innovative thinking, renewed hope, and an unwavering commitment to progress as the foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future. Dr. Tsegbe highlighted the potential for Nigeria and China to collaborate on industrialization, economic diversification, and long-term growth, positioning the partnership as a cornerstone of Africa’s development.
Dr. Tsegbe noted that China and Africa are entering a new era of cooperation, moving beyond traditional trade in raw materials to a partnership rooted in shared prosperity. This shift, he argued, presents an opportunity to build a stronger, more resilient future, particularly through investments in infrastructure development. He urged both nations to seize this moment to deepen their collaboration and create sustainable economic frameworks that benefit their populations and the broader African continent.
Advancing the GGI: Proposals for Strategic Collaboration
Mr. Charles Onunaiju, a representative from the Centre for China Studies (CCS) in Abuja, called for the establishment of a Nigeria-China Joint Committee on the Exploration and Advancement of the GGI. He envisioned this committee as a platform to leverage existing inter-governmental mechanisms while expanding to include think tanks from both countries. The proposed committee would be tasked with designing a strategic roadmap and action plans to operationalize the GGI’s objectives. Mr. Onunaiju stressed that such a platform would enable both nations to fulfill their historic responsibilities not only to their own people but to humanity as a whole. By lending strategic diplomatic weight to the initiative, the committee could serve as a model for advancing global governance reforms and fostering deeper China-Africa cooperation.
Academic Insights: Reforming Global Institutions
In a paper presentation titled “GGI and the Imperative for Reforms in Global Institutions,” Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director of the Centre for Contemporary China-Africa Research, emphasized the need for Africa and China to present a unified voice in global forums. He argued that a collective approach would strengthen their ability to represent China-Africa interests on the world stage. Prof. Ibrahim highlighted the GGI’s potential to address systemic imbalances in global institutions, such as the under-representation of African nations in decision-making processes. He called for continued collaboration to ensure that the voices of developing countries are amplified in discussions on global governance, trade, and sustainable development.
Prof. Udenta Udenta, Director-General of the African Writers Institute, presented a paper titled “The Global Governance Initiative and the Quest for a Multipolar World.” He urged African leaders to take a proactive role in international forums, asserting that the continent must claim its rightful place in shaping the global order. Prof. Udenta argued that the GGI provides a framework for Africa to engage more assertively in global governance, advocating for a multipolar world that reflects the interests of diverse nations. He called for African leaders to embrace the initiative as an opportunity to advance the continent’s development agenda and strengthen its position in international diplomacy.
The Broader Context: China-Africa Cooperation
The stakeholders’ forum underscored the broader context of China-Africa cooperation, which has grown significantly in recent decades. The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), established in 2000, has been a key platform for deepening ties between China and African nations. Through FOCAC, China has invested heavily in infrastructure projects across the continent, including roads, railways, ports, and energy facilities. These investments have been instrumental in addressing Africa’s infrastructure deficit, which has long been a barrier to economic growth.
In Nigeria, China’s contributions to infrastructure development are particularly notable. Projects such as the Abuja-Kaduna railway, the Lagos-Ibadan railway, and the Lekki Deep Sea Port stand as testaments to the tangible outcomes of the China-Nigeria partnership. These initiatives have not only improved connectivity and trade but also created jobs and stimulated economic activity. The expansion of zero-tariff treatment to cover all tariff lines for African countries further demonstrates China’s commitment to fostering economic growth and reducing trade barriers.
The GGI builds on this foundation by providing a framework for addressing global challenges that impact Africa, such as climate change, public health crises, and economic inequalities. By aligning the initiative with the needs of African countries, China aims to create a more inclusive and equitable global order. The forum’s discussions highlighted the potential for the GGI to serve as a catalyst for reforms in global institutions, ensuring that they better reflect the realities of the 21st century.
Challenges and Opportunities
While the GGI presents significant opportunities for China-Africa cooperation, it also faces challenges that must be addressed to realize its full potential. One key challenge is the perception of China’s growing influence in Africa. Critics have raised concerns about debt sustainability, environmental impacts, and the potential for unequal partnerships. To address these concerns, the GGI emphasizes principles such as sovereign equality and a people-centered approach, which aim to ensure that cooperation is mutually beneficial and respects the priorities of African nations.
Another challenge is the complexity of reforming global institutions, which often face resistance from established powers. The GGI’s focus on multilateralism and consensus-building seeks to overcome this by fostering dialogue and collaboration among nations. By prioritizing areas such as artificial intelligence, cyberspace, and climate change, the initiative aims to address emerging global issues that require collective action.
The opportunities presented by the GGI are immense. For Nigeria, the initiative offers a chance to deepen its partnership with China, attract investment, and drive economic diversification. By leveraging the GGI’s framework, Nigeria can position itself as a leader in Africa’s engagement with global governance reforms. The establishment of a joint committee, as proposed by Mr. Onunaiju, could further institutionalize this partnership, ensuring that strategic priorities are aligned and progress is sustained.
Conclusion
The stakeholders’ forum on the Global Governance Initiative marked a significant step in strengthening the China-Nigeria partnership and advancing the broader goals of China-Africa cooperation. By bringing together diverse voices from government, academia, and civil society, the forum highlighted the shared vision of a more just and equitable global order. The GGI’s emphasis on sovereign equality, multilateralism, and tangible action resonates with the needs of developing countries, particularly in Africa, where historical injustices and under-representation remain pressing concerns.
As Nigeria and China move forward, the establishment of a joint committee and continued collaboration on global governance reforms will be critical to realizing the initiative’s potential. By working together, both nations can drive industrialization, economic diversification, and sustainable development, creating a brighter future for their people and contributing to a shared future for humanity. The forum’s outcomes underscore the importance of collective action in addressing global challenges and building a world that is more inclusive, equitable, and prosperous for all.
