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<p data-start="100" data-end="308"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">India&rsquo;s trade with Africa has surpassed $100 billion in FY 2024-25, almost doubling from $56 billion in FY 2019-20, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said.</span></p>
<p data-start="310" data-end="557"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Speaking at the inaugural session of the 20th CII India-Africa Business Conclave, Singh highlighted that cumulative Indian investments in Africa have exceeded $75 billion from 1996 to 2024, ranking India among the continent&rsquo;s top five investors.</span></p>
<p data-start="559" data-end="825"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The minister added that India has extended more than $12 billion in concessional loans and $700 million in grant assistance for projects across African nations. Additionally, 50,000 scholarships have been offered to African youth, with over 42,000 already availed.</span></p>
<p data-start="827" data-end="1069"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">Singh emphasised Africa&rsquo;s critical role in India&rsquo;s foreign policy, noting that the African Union was granted permanent G20 membership during India&rsquo;s presidency. &ldquo;We put emphasis on Africa's rightful place at the global high table,&rdquo; he said.</span></p>
<p data-start="1071" data-end="1271"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">The minister also recalled India&rsquo;s support during humanitarian crises in Mozambique, Madagascar, Mauritius, and other countries, underscoring a bilateral relationship built on trust and cooperation.</span></p>
<p data-start="1273" data-end="1493"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">He invited African nations to participate in initiatives such as the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure and the International Solar Alliance, aiming to strengthen collaboration on climate and clean energy.</span></p>
<p data-start="1495" data-end="1742"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">With a strong diaspora of 3.5 billion, India&rsquo;s Africa policy remains pragmatic and issue-based. Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently visited Ghana to discuss development cooperation focused on local capacity building and creating opportunities.</span></p>
<p data-start="1744" data-end="1967" data-is-last-node="" data-is-only-node=""><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">African nations, including Zimbabwe, have encouraged Indian companies to explore opportunities in sectors such as lithium mining for electric vehicles, agriculture, food processing, pharmaceuticals, ICT, and infrastructure.</span></p>
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<div class="pointer-events-none h-px w-px" aria-hidden="true" data-edge="true"><span style="font-family: georgia, palatino, serif; font-size: 12pt;">[Except for the headline, this article has not been edited by the Benefit News editorial team and is published directly from the IANS news feed]</span></div>

India-Africa Trade Hits $100 Billion Milestone

Bilateral trade nearly doubles in five years; India emerges as top investor in Africa

India-Africa Trade Hits $100 Billion Milestone

Bilateral trade nearly doubles in five years; India emerges as top investor in Africa

August 28, 2025 | 14:08 IST