By Thoboloko Ntšonyane
MASERU- The Prime Minister (PM) Rt Hon Sam Matekane has during the recently concluded 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Summit in Beijing, appealed to the People’s Republic of China, seeking its support in Lesotho’s modernisation efforts.
He urged China to continue its assistance, underscoring the role it plays in Lesotho’s development trajectory.
This was Matekane’s inaugural FOCAC Summit since coming into power in October 2022.
The Beijing Summit and FOCAC was held in Beijing from September 4 to 6, 2024. The Heads of State, Government and delegation of China and 53 African countries and Chairperson of the African Union Commission including ministers attended the Summit and Ministerial Conference. Also present as a special guest at the Summit was the United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres.
The Summit was held under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a shared Future”.
“One of the priorities of our National Strategic Development Plan is to enhance productivity, with emphasis on agriculture modernization; expanding the energy sector, including utilizing water resources, wind power, and solar energy. We, therefore, call on the People’s Republic of China’s to stand with us in our quest for “Exploring Paths to Modernization”and give the usual support as we undertake to;
“Assist to propel our society out of the agrarian economy towards [an] industrial economy which is based on modern mechanised mass manufacturing of food and other goods; calling for an increase in supply agricultural (sic) machinery, agro-processing and manufacturing plants,” submitted the PM.
He told the Summit of his led government’s plan to uplift the citizens from abject poverty by increasing investments in labour intensive projects alongside the related value chains for local employment and occupation opportunities.
Matekane said they plan to develop the infrastructure connectivity and transform rural villages by investing in projects including roads, housing and investments in the energy sector.
He emphasised the need to harness technology and connectivity to facilitate more efficient communication, improve public services, boost productivity, enhance public safety, and promote profitable commercial interactions both within the country and with continental neighbors and the wider world.
The Premier also stressed the importance of improving the quality of life by offering affordable, if not free, education and accessible, high-quality health services.
He went on to commend China for its dedication to fulfilling its commitments and acknowledged the successes of the previous FOCAC Summit.
It will be recalled that the recently concluded projects, including the Ramarothole solar power plant, the Maseru District Hospital, and the Mpiti-Sehlabathebe Road are the results of the FOCAC wherein Lesotho had made request to China during the 2016 FOCAC Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa.
These three projects were chosen out of 27 projects which Lesotho had submitted to China to build.
The two sides, China-Africa spoke highly of FOCAC’s achievements over the past 24 years.
For his part, the President of China, Xi Jinping stated that China-Africa friendship remains robust and is growing stronger through generations no matter how the world changes.
“The China-Africa community with a shared future thrives on the strength of win-win cooperation. Twenty-four years ago, FOCAC was born at the dawn of a new century. Through this key cooperation platform, we have together built roads, railways, schools, hospitals, industrial parks, and special economic zones. These projects have changed the lives and destiny of many people,” stated President Jinping.
Both Africa and China reaffirmed their conviction that the development of their respective regions will open new opportunities for human development, collective security, and mutual respect for each other’s civilizations. The two sides also pledged to enhance cooperation on these initiatives and to present a united front on issues of common interest to developing countries.
Together, China-Africa called for an equal and orderly multipolar world and a universally beneficial and inclusive economic globalisation. Further, China and Africa also committed to supporting each other in protecting their sovereignty, security, and developmental goals.
The African side reiterated its commitment to the one-China principle, affirming its ongoing support.
The African leaders praised the outcomes of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, held in July, believing that the comprehensive reforms aimed at advancing Chinese modernisation will provide increased opportunities for countries around the world, including African nations.
President Jinping pledged China’s continued support for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), aiming to help build a more integrated, prosperous, and peaceful Africa.
Matekane commended the “high level” exchanges between dignitaries of Lesotho and China, saying they signify the importance for bilateral relationships. These exchanges, he highlighted that they have helped to deepen mutual political trust between the two countries and provided opportunities for leaders to communicate directly and build personal relationships as well as enhancing cooperation in various fields of international affairs and also led to a signing of new agreements such as Technical Cooperation Agreements that will provide grant aid and interest-free loans from China to Lesotho.
The dynamics of geoglobal politics had revealed a growing competition for influence between China and the West in Africa. China’s approach, as seen through initiatives like FOCAC and its support for infrastructure projects and Lesotho is one be beneficiaries of those with structures like the National Assembly building, State Library, State House, and Manthabiseng Convention Centre.
The West’s approach had been more conditional assistance, often calling for reforms on certain areas such as good governance, respect for human rights and rule of law.
“Let us aim to expand our collaboration to include new areas, such as digital governance and climate resilience, which will further support our efforts in achieving the African Union Agenda 2063 and United Nations 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. On the international front, I wish to assure all that, Lesotho fully supports multilateralism in global affairs.
“We believe in peaceful co-existence built on the tenets of peace, security, and prosperity hence our support for President Xi’s views on Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI) and Global Civilization Initiative (GCI),” PM stressed.
In a press conference post the Summit, the PM said the Chinese government has set aside M896 billion to help Africa in a three year period, M522 billion for loans, M200 billion to assist where there are gaps in Africa and M174 billion for Chinese investors with Africa.
Matekane also said China promised to help Africa in upscaling businesses.
He said the Chinese government is going to assist Lesotho in areas such as agriculture, clean energy, and commitment of development initiatives.
For the period 2025/2027 capital projects will see support from China food production, fight against terrorism, renewable energy, corruption, creation of employment for youth and women in Africa.
The continent, he said, has entered into a strategic partnership with China.
The PM reported that China has given Lesotho M250 million for economic boosting and to buy agricultural inputs. There is also a food donation to the value of M25 million.
The Minister of Finance and Development Planning Dr Retšelisitsoe Matlanyane stated that the PM’s delegation also engaged in talks over the construction of Ramarothole Solar Plant, the deliberations which she noted that they went well. She said once they have concluded the negotiations and closed the deal, the construction will commence.
Currently the Phase I of Ramarothole Solar Plant is producing 30 megawatts and the Phase II is expected to generate 50 megawatts. The Minister also pointed out that they want the Chinese to also construct the storage facility at the plant so that the power generated during the day can be used at night.
Lesotho’s National Development Corporation (LNDC) CEO, Advocate Molise Ramaili, stated that they were also part of the Prime Minister’s delegation. He mentioned that as the country’s investment promotion body, they successfully secured a deal with Sinopharm to establish a factory for manufacturing medicines.
In this charm offensive, he noted that LNDC has diversified its investment portfolio to attract Chinese investors.
“To fulfill the commitments for capital projects, once consensus is reached, I appeal to Ministers, Ministries, and civil servants to work hard to ensure that what was agreed upon is realised. Production without agriculture will not be easy, and to achieve these goals, we must ensure the availability of resources and strengthen human resource capacities,” he said, adding that they have ordered 100 walk-behind tractors to boost agricultural production.