Interview: China’s Path, Africa’s Future: Sheehama Unpacks Key Takeaways from Kunming Forum

Business and economics researcher Josef Sheehama has returned from the 14th China-African Think Tank Forum in Kunming, China, with key reflections on how China’s development model—particularly in poverty alleviation and modernization—could offer Africa, and Namibia specifically, a valuable roadmap for future industrialization.

The forum, attended by over 150 scholars, policymakers, and experts from across the African continent and China, served as a platform to examine shared challenges and explore developmental strategies rooted in practical success stories. Sheehama, representing Namibia, emphasized that China’s rapid transition from a low-income to a middle-income country within decades was not accidental but a result of carefully calibrated reforms and governance structures.

“China’s approach to modernization did not follow a Western template,” Sheehama noted. “Instead, it was rooted in its own history, institutions, and people’s needs. That’s an important lesson for African countries: development must be indigenous, inclusive, and tailored.”

At the core of China’s strategy, he said, lies an unwavering commitment to poverty alleviation. Over 800 million Chinese citizens have been lifted out of extreme poverty—a feat that Sheehama believes Namibia and other African nations can learn from. China’s success was driven by data-driven governance, targeted welfare programmes, and strong local accountability mechanisms.

Equally important was China’s insistence on pairing economic growth with social cohesion. As Sheehama explained, development without equity leads to instability. The Chinese model prioritizes inclusive policies that span health, education, rural revitalization, and job creation. “That’s where Namibia can take cues—our industrialization efforts must walk hand in hand with reducing income gaps and creating meaningful employment, especially for the youth,” he said.

Governance was another pillar of discussion at the forum. Sheehama highlighted that China’s results stem from a model of meritocratic leadership and long-term policy planning. He called on African leaders to adopt similar frameworks of continuity and accountability, even within democratic systems. “Our policies must outlive election cycles,” he stressed.

Regional integration and infrastructure also featured heavily in the forum’s agenda. Sheehama stressed the importance of intra-African trade, transportation corridors, and energy investments, echoing Africa’s Agenda 2063. He commended China’s role in facilitating these projects through the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), while also urging African nations to negotiate better deals that include skills transfers, technology partnerships, and long-term sustainability.

On Namibia’s industrial future, Sheehama said, “We must harness our mineral wealth, invest in energy production, and develop industrial parks that are integrated with small and medium enterprises. But more importantly, we must ask—who benefits? Development must reach our rural communities and reduce structural inequality.”

He concluded by urging African governments to prioritize grassroots participation, asserting that development must not be top-down. “People are not just beneficiaries—they’re agents of transformation,” he stated.

As Namibia moves forward with its development vision, Sheehama believes that lessons from China’s journey—adapted to local contexts—could help accelerate inclusive and sustainable progress.

The post Interview: China’s Path, Africa’s Future: Sheehama Unpacks Key Takeaways from Kunming Forum first appeared on Future Media News.

The post Interview: China’s Path, Africa’s Future: Sheehama Unpacks Key Takeaways from Kunming Forum appeared first on Future Media News.