India-Africa ties: Trade tops $100 bn in 2024-25; New Delhi among top five investors, says minister Kirti Vardhan Singh

India’s trade with Africa crossed the $100 billion mark in 2024-25, Union minister Kirti Vardhan Singh said on Wednesday, adding that New Delhi has also emerged among the top five investors in the continent.Speaking at the inaugural session of the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave in the capital, Singh said India has extended concessional loans worth over $12 billion, along with $700 million in grant assistance for African projects, PTI reported. He also highlighted that India has offered 50,000 scholarships for African youth, of which more than 42,000 have already been utilised.“This year’s theme is different as we have decided to move from project partnership and growth partnership to the spirit of ‘Co-creating a Shared Future’, which signifies the sentiment attached to this remarkable journey,” Singh said.He noted that bilateral trade with Africa surged from $56 billion in 2019-20 to over $100 billion in 2024-25. With cumulative investments of more than $75 billion between 1996 and 2024, India ranks among Africa’s top five largest investors.The minister stressed Africa’s importance in India’s foreign policy, recalling that the African Union was granted permanent membership of the G20 during India’s presidency. “We put emphasis on Africa’s rightful place at the global high table,” he said.Singh also underlined India’s support to Africa during times of need, citing relief operations in Mozambique, Madagascar, and Mauritius, among others. He invited African nations to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Solar Alliance to strengthen cooperation in climate and clean energy.“India and Africa are shaping a strong partnership to co-create a shared future, built on mutual trust and collaborative efforts,” Singh said.