By Edson Baraukwa | Africa Guardian
Tanzania’s President Samia Suluhu Hassan is set to officiate the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled to take place in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024. She will join fellow African heads of state and government leaders for this significant event.
The announcement was made by Tanzania’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation, Ambassador Mahmoud Kombo, during a press conference in Dar es Salaam on August 31, 2024. The Minister revealed that President Samia’s participation is in response to an invitation from Chinese President Xi Jinping.
As the forum’s officiating leader, President Samia will open the summit, representing the East African region. Themed “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” the summit aims to foster greater solidarity and cooperation, propelling the mutual development of China and Africa.
The event is expected to yield significant outcomes, further enhancing Sino-African relations and solidifying the strategic partnership between the two regions. In line with previous summits, the Beijing forum will focus on strengthening cooperation in key areas such as education, infrastructure development, healthcare, and technology.
With the African Development Bank estimating annual infrastructure funding needs for Africa between $130 billion and $170 billion, the upcoming FOCAC summit is anticipated to address these pressing challenges effectively.
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