Agenda 2063 in Focus: Indonesia and Africa’s Collaborative Path

As African nations ascend rapidly within the global economic landscape, strategic alliances with emerging economies such as Indonesia promise substantial mutual benefits. The second Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF II), convened in Bali from September 1-3, exemplified this potential. The forum, which succeeded the inaugural 2018 event, drew over 800 distinguished participants from 22 African nations, including heads of state, industry leaders, and academics, underscoring Indonesia’s dedication to deepening its engagement with the continent.

Under the theme "Bandung Spirit for Africa's Agenda 2063," this year’s forum sought to rekindle the collaborative ethos of the 1955 Bandung Asia-Africa Conference. This renewed engagement aims to align with Africa’s Agenda 2063, a strategic blueprint for the continent's emergence as a global powerhouse.

IAF II concentrated on six areas: Economic Transformation, Mining Cooperation, Energy Cooperation, Health, Food Security, and Development Cooperation. These thematic focuses reflect both regions' shared priorities and address pressing global challenges, offering critical opportunities to advance Agenda 2063 and enhance cooperation, particularly through the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and energy collaborations.

Economic Transformation and the AfCFTA

While the AfCFTA was not the central focus of the forum, the emphasis on strengthening cooperation with Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs), economic linkages, and industrialization holds significant potential to accelerate the AfCFTA’s progress. By developing their own industries and strengthening their economies through these engagements, individual African nations like Rwanda may apply the knowledge and best practices gained from Indonesia to further the collective goals of the AfCFTA. This collaborative learning can enhance each nation's contribution to creating a more integrated and competitive continental market.

Mining and Critical Minerals

African states and Indonesia boast substantial deposits of critical minerals like cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, which are essential to the global energy transition. The forum highlighted the mutual benefits of technological exchange and infrastructure development in this sector. By pooling resources and expertise, these regions can maximize the economic potential of their mineral wealth. Such collaboration supports the sustainable extraction and processing of these minerals and positions Africa and Indonesia as key players in the global energy market. This partnership builds on the foundation laid during the first Indonesia-Africa Forum (IAF I) in 2018, where initial agreements on mining cooperation set the stage for deeper engagement.

Energy Cooperation

The forum also focused on joint ventures in solar and wind energy, alongside knowledge exchange programs and sustainable infrastructure development. A prime example of this cooperation is the geothermal energy partnership between Tanzania and Indonesia, which sets a benchmark for future projects. This collaboration solidified during the forum, demonstrates how shared expertise can lead to the successful implementation of renewable energy projects.

Indonesia’s continuous engagement with Africa is deeply rooted in the Bandung Spirit, a shared legacy of striving for independence and self-determination. This historical bond has evolved into a modern partnership focused on economic development and mutual growth. Today, Indonesia stands as a key ally in Africa’s pursuit of the transformative goals outlined in Agenda 2063.

The forum highlights Indonesia's commitment to this partnership, not only in rhetoric but through concrete actions and strategic collaborations. Indonesia wants to play a central role in Africa’s journey toward a more integrated, prosperous, and sustainable future by fostering economic ties, enhancing knowledge exchange, and supporting critical sectors like mining and energy. This collaboration is can be impactful as Africa seeks to implement the AfCFTA and achieve its broader aspirations, from eradicating poverty to creating a continent-wide economic powerhouse. Through sustained engagement and a focus on shared goals, Indonesia-Africa relations can play an important role in the realization of Agenda 2063.

By creating more robust economic ties, the forum is poised to boost the collaborative efforts between Indonesian stakeholders and their potential partners in Africa, which can be crucial in furthering Africa’s economic development and global positioning. The forum also serves as a model for other nations, such as Canada, to deepen their engagement with the continent. The $3.5 billion generated in expected agreements from the forum exemplifies how strategic partnerships with emerging African economies can yield significant economic benefits, helping the regions involved to develop their industries, create jobs, and reduce dependence on traditional Western powers.

As the forum concluded, its success will not be defined solely by the agreements signed or business deals struck. Rather, the true measure lies in how effectively it revitalized the Bandung Spirit and aligned it with the modern aspirations of Africa’s Agenda 2063. By building on historical ties and fostering partnerships rooted in equality, justice, and mutual interest, Indonesia and African States can jointly pave the way for a more prosperous and equitable future.

Jameer Johnson , Research Assistant, Canadian Centre for African Affairs and Policy Research