Students dance at Minzu Middle School located in Daxingdi Township, Lushui City, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province (RAFAEL HENRIQUE ZERBETTO)

Without a doubt, China’s poverty alleviation is a success that has not been achieved by any country I can think of. There is so much that Africa can learn from China in this regard. 

African nations can draw inspiration from the effectiveness of China’s governance in delivering results. China’s governance system may not be perfect, but it certainly works for the Chinese. Its multi-pronged approach - industrial development, infrastructure, and targeted poverty alleviation - offers a blueprint for Africa’s future development. But direct replication must be avoided. 

Africa is not one country. It is a continent with over 50 countries characterised by uneven levels of development. Given the nature of poverty and the development situation on the continent, a one-size-fits-all approach is not ideal. For me, all poverty reduction strategies adopted in China are equally important and should be studied and tested for achieving sustainable development in Africa. In Africa, localised resource-based industries, such as tourism and handicrafts, have the potential to achieve what Yunnan Province has done. 

Infrastructure, particularly transport networks, is of critical significance. Yunnan’s pothole-free roads not only facilitate commerce but also reduce urban congestion - a stark contrast to Africa’s infrastructure gaps. 

Education is another key factor for breaking poverty cycles. However, the obsession with religious instead of academic and vocational education amounts to a loss of opportunities for Africans to find lasting solutions to poverty. Academic education and vocational training should become a way of life. 

In conclusion, China’s poverty alleviation model, rooted in pragmatism and adaptability, provides actionable lessons for Africa. By prioritising infrastructure, education, and decentralised cooperation, African nations can address systemic challenges while leveraging local resources. Political will, not ideology, will determine Africa’s success. 

Kgothatso Brucely Shai, a South African professor at the University of Limpopo (COURTESY) 

The author is professor of University of Limpopo, South Africa