By Abderrahmane Mebtoul, State Doctorate 1974-Professor of Universities International Expert
New Delhi will host the 4th India-Africa Summit on May 31, 2026 under the theme “IA SPIRIT”, dedicated to partnership, innovation, resilience, and inclusive transformation. India is currently the most populous country in the world with approximately 1.477 billion inhabitants. Its nominal GDP is expected to reach $4,153 billion in 2026, with a per capita GDP estimated at $2,813 according to the IMF. Despite a slight slowdown compared to 2024, growth remains particularly strong, with forecasts ranging between 6.6% and 7.8% in 2025, making India one of the most dynamic economies in the world.
This growth is mainly based on domestic consumption, the decrease in inflation, and massive government investments in infrastructure, particularly in roads, ports, and digital technology. This is despite a complex international environment.
India’s total exports, including goods and services, reached around $825.26 billion for the 2024-2025 fiscal year. China has become India’s top trading partner for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, with estimated trade of $151.1 billion. However, the United States remains India’s top export destination. Russia and the United Arab Emirates are also among the major strategic partners, especially in the energy and defense sectors.
As of May 1, 2026, India’s foreign exchange reserves stood at around $690.69 billion.
The issue of artificial intelligence is also at the heart of the India-Africa summit. India has emerged as a key player in information technology and digital services, consolidating its position as the “world’s office” in software and outsourcing, while gaining momentum in artificial intelligence and digital innovation.
The country is now committed to an ambitious strategy to make AI a lever for socio-economic development for the “global South”. Without aiming to directly compete with American or Chinese models on major fundamental models, New Delhi favors a pragmatic approach focused on concrete applications and the widespread deployment of AI solutions.
As part of the “India AI” strategy, the Indian AI market is expected to grow from $13.05 billion in 2025 to $130.63 billion by 2032, with a compound annual growth rate of 39%.
Significant Economic Cooperation between India and Africa
After previous editions held in 2008, 2011, and 2015, which helped expand cooperation in development and capacity building, India will host the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) in New Delhi, in collaboration with the African Union.
The event will bring together African leaders, representatives of the African Union, and several regional organizations to strengthen cooperation between the two parties. A meeting of senior officials is scheduled for May 28, 2026, followed by a meeting of India-Africa Foreign Ministers on May 29 to prepare the main themes of the summit.
Indian authorities emphasize that this forum is an essential platform for dialogue with Africa, based on the principles of mutual respect, equality, and solidarity. The summit is also expected to strengthen South-South partnership and promote inclusive development initiatives.
India is currently Africa’s fourth largest trading partner and among its top five investors. For the 2024-2025 fiscal year, trade between India and Africa amounted to $81.99 billion, with $42.6 billion in Indian exports and $39.2 billion in imports.
Indian exports to Africa mainly include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, automobiles, equipment, cereals, chemicals, and textiles. African imports to India are dominated by crude oil, natural gas, coal, fertilizers, pulses, and gemstones.
Key African partners of India include Nigeria, South Africa, Angola, Egypt, Algeria, Kenya, Senegal, Mauritius, Morocco, and Mozambique.
India’s cumulative investments in Africa reached around $80 billion between 1996 and 2025. Indian companies are particularly active in the energy, mining, telecommunications, manufacturing, agriculture, and services sectors.
They are involved in mining, oil and gas sectors, especially in Mozambique. They are also very active in the fertilizer sector in Morocco, Senegal, and Tunisia, as well as in new exploration projects in Egypt.
Several Indian groups are also involved in the construction and maintenance of electrical networks, telecommunications infrastructure, roads, bridges, power plants, public buildings, metros, and railways in several African countries.
In conclusion, this India-Africa summit confirms that Africa, expected to become one of the main drivers of global growth between 2030 and 2050, is now a major geostrategic issue for both major powers and emerging countries.
Africa currently has a GDP that is still limited compared to its immense potential – approximately $3.12 trillion according to the IMF in 2025 – for a population of around 1.5 billion. However, its true take-off will depend on improved governance and the valorization of knowledge, in a world marked by profound geopolitical and economic reconfigurations.
Note: For data related to India-Africa cooperation, the author sincerely thanks the Embassy of India in Algiers for the information provided.
