DUBAI, United Arab Emirates—World-renowned American economist Prof. Jeffrey D. Sachs has urged African countries to emulate China’s development model for the continent’s prosperity.
In a media interview, Prof. Jeffrey, a global leader in sustainable development, observed that the 55 countries of the African Union make up about 1.5 billion people, the same size as India, the same size as China.
“The big difference is that the imperial powers divided Africa into 55 little countries, not one of which can thrive on its own. Whereas India and China, because of their history, remained unified countries,” said Prof. Jeffrey.
Speaking to Dubai-based Going Underground TV, Prof. Jeffrey, a public policy analyst, further went on:
“Do you think it will change in the future? Will you unite? They have to. So I tell them every single time I have the opportunity that the African Union is the key. At 55, you can’t make it. But as one African continental economy, you can make it.”
Core characteristics of China’s development model
Beijing prioritises large-scale physical projects—such as railways, ports, and highways—offering speed and scale that traditional Western lenders often match with difficulty.
Unlike Western aid frameworks, Chinese financing generally avoids strict political demands regarding democratisation or institutional reforms.
And, according to Prof. Jeffrey, who is best known for his work on ending extreme poverty, fighting climate change, and managing international debt crises, Africa’s population is currently continuing to rise. Prof. Jeffrey further said that Africa is the only place in the world with rapid population growth.
“Everyone else has peaked, or is just about to peak, or is actually beginning a decline. Africa’s population today is 1.5 billion. By 2050, it’ll be 2.5 billion. That’s a lot. Adding a billion people in the next quarter century. If you go even farther and just try to extrapolate based on current trends, Africa’s population reaches about 3.5 billion,” explained Prof. Jeffrey.
Why SADCC plays a critical role on the African continent
According to the UN’s most recent forecast, 3.7 billion by the end of the 21st century. And Africa goes from 9% of the world population to more than 30%.
“It’s going to be a completely different world. What do I say to African leaders every time I have the chance? First, be Africa-wide. Second, get on quickly with mass education because that is the key to economic development. Third, look at what China did,” explained Prof. Jeffrey.
While echoing Prof. Jeffrey’s remarks, Prof. David Monyae, director of the Centre for Africa-China Studies and professor of political science and international relations at the University of Johannesburg, said Africa should and must speak with one voice.
“SADC is the Southern African Development Community. It’s the combination of 16 countries in Southern Africa, in which South Africa is the most dominant power,” said Prof. Monyae.
Prof. Monyae reiterated that SADC is part of the regional economic communities as part of the African Union.
“SADC broadly deals with issues of cooperation on key issues of development, conflict resolution, and several other issues about the global environment in which Africa should and must speak with one voice,” he explained.
Prof. Monyae emphasised that these groupings do consolidate a collective approach to global issues.
