Dakar Hosts the First West African Forum to Strengthen Cooperation with China in Development and Modernization
ALDAR/
On April 23, 2025, the Senegalese capital hosted the First West African Forum, a pivotal event aimed at solidifying cooperation between China and West African nations. Under the theme “Working Together to Promote Modernization,” the forum brought together policymakers, researchers, and experts from both China and West Africa to exchange ideas, share experiences, and lay the groundwork for future partnerships.
One of the key outcomes of this forum was the announcement of the creation of a “China-Africa Research Institute on Social Sciences,” to be established at the National School of Administration (ENA) in Dakar. This initiative is intended to serve as a scientific platform to promote academic dialogue and strengthen strategic cooperation between the two regions.
During the opening ceremony, several prominent figures, including the Director-General of ENA, Mor Fall, and the President of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), Gao Xiang, expressed their enthusiasm about the success of the forum. They highlighted the crucial role of academic collaboration in promoting Africa’s development while emphasizing the success of the Chinese model, which combines economic modernization with the preservation of cultural values.
The discussions also focused on the growing role of West Africa in continental and international politics, with experts stressing the need to create inclusive cooperation models based on solidarity and sustainable development, particularly in light of current global challenges.
Central to the discussions, participants explored various Chinese experiences in modernization, offering valuable lessons for Africa, while stressing the importance of maintaining national decision-making autonomy. Strengthening responsible governance and measured openness to the world were identified as key elements for successful development.
The closing session, chaired by the Secretary-General of the Presidency of Senegal, Oumar Samba Ba, underscored that China-Africa cooperation goes beyond infrastructure projects and extends to a partnership rooted in shared values and a common vision for the future.
In conclusion, the Dakar Forum marked the beginning of a new era of collaboration between China and West Africa, focusing on knowledge, innovation, and the building of a shared community of destiny that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries.
