Rooted in shared political solidarities and deep economic complementarities, Africa and India hold immense potential for sustainable and mutually beneficial cooperation. Yet despite the depth and longevity of this relationship, a critical knowledge asymmetry persists: policymakers, private sector actors, and scholars often lack a consolidated body of insights, evidence, and innovative models to guide a fit-for-purpose Africa–India partnership. To address these challenges, in January 2025, the Centre for Social and Economic Progress and the AUDA-NEPAD Economic Analysis and Foresight Unit launched the Africa–India Global Dialogue Series, a monthly webinar designed to convene fresh perspectives from both regions. Across 10 episodes, over 30 African, Indian, and global experts explored themes spanning geopolitics, digital innovation, energy transitions, agriculture and more. RIA Research Director, Pria Chetty, joined this conversation to speak on ‘Developing Digital Futures – Tech Solutions and Policies for Inclusive Growth’.
Now, the initiative has culminated in an idea-rich report containing 32 policy briefs authored by leading experts and scholars. The Africa-India blueprint for growth provides policymakers with a coherent suite of actionable policy recommendations to advance Africa-India partnerships through collaboration and innovation. The report, edited by Pamla Gopaul and Veda Vaidyanatha, looks at Geopolitics and Security; Green Growth and Just Transitions; Economic Diplomacy and Digital Futures; and Health and Human Capital. RIA Executive Director Pria Chetty and Senior Research Associate Dr Scott Timcke contribute expert knowledge in the section on Economic Diplomacy and Digital Futures, which highlights how India–Africa cooperation can advance inclusive, resilient growth by combining infrastructure, investment, finance, and digital innovation.
In their policy brief, Strengthening Africa-India digital partnerships: A compendium of data governance, AI and DPI challenges,(pp. 135–139) Chetty and Timcke frame DPI and AI as strategic development pathways which can be unleashed through enhanced digital trade and stronger data governance. Critically assessing the local policy landscape, they note the need to domesticate and enforce the African Union Data Policy Framework, as well as to maximise technological productivity and interoperability through enhanced digital trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area, which can help unlock socio-economic growth in the Global South.
This report was originally published by the Centre for Social and Economic Progress (CSEP) on 9 February 2026.
