Why Africa Matters to Malaysia - Part 2
Africa matters to Malaysia not only because the continent itself is undergoing transformation, but because the global system is shifting in a way that elevates Africa’s centrality in future geopolitics, economics and governance.
The international order is no
longer defined solely by trans-Atlantic power or Asia–Pacific competition;
instead, multiple regions are asserting agency, shaping policy outcomes and
demanding structural reforms.
In this emerging multipolar
landscape, Africa stands out, not as a region waiting for development
assistance, but as a rising actor capable of influencing global political
discourse, financial flows and technological pathways.
Over the past two years, Africa
has demonstrated an unprecedented capacity to shape global narratives. From
climate diplomacy to global supply-chain negotiations, African states have
presented unified positions that resonate across the Global South.
Whether advocating for climate
loss-and-damage funds, negotiating for fairer agricultural trade rules, or
championing digital finance reforms, Africa’s role has evolved from reactive
participation to strategic agenda-setting.
For Malaysia, a nation that has
historically supported equitable development and post-colonial sovereignty: this
evolution demands a reassessment of long-outdated assumptions and a recognition
of Africa as a strategic partner with agency, not merely as a market or aid
recipient.
Africa’s influence in global
governance is growing. The African Union’s recent inclusion in major
multilateral platforms, including the G20, is symbolic of a deeper structural
shift: the acknowledgment that no global solution whether related to food
security, digital governance, climate policy or global finance can succeed
without African participation.
The continent holds the world’s
largest voting bloc in international institutions, and its coordinated
positions increasingly shape multilateral negotiations.
As developing nations push for
fairer trade rules, meaningful technology transfer and more equitable global
financing mechanisms, Africa’s diplomatic leadership makes it a natural anchor
for broader Global South coalitions. Malaysia, with its history in the
Non-Aligned Movement and shared stance on development justice, finds alignment
here.
Economically, Africa presents
Malaysia with opportunities across three interconnected tiers: emerging
markets, resource-based value chains and technological innovation ecosystems.
The first dimension: emerging
markets, is driven by rising income levels, fast-growing urbanisation and
demographic expansion. Africa’s population is projected to surpass 2.5 billion
by 2050, with a median age under 25.
This youthful demographic profile
means rising consumption demand in telecommunications, food production,
healthcare, education, infrastructure and digital services. Malaysian companies
in halal food processing, Islamic finance, Agritech or agricultural technology,
medical tourism, manufacturing and logistics can capitalise on these trends especially
when first-mover trust is still available.
The second dimension: resource
chain integration, is tied to Africa’s pivotal role in the green-energy
transition. The world is accelerating toward electric vehicles, renewable
energy storage and battery-dependent infrastructure.
Africa holds significant reserves
of the critical minerals required to make this possible: cobalt, lithium,
platinum and rare-earth elements. Malaysia’s ambitions in renewable energy
technology, EV component manufacturing and semiconductor ecosystem resilience
cannot be isolated from Africa’s resource landscape.
Building structured, ethical and
transparent supply-chain partnerships today would allow Malaysia to secure
long-term sustainability goals while avoiding the geopolitical vulnerability
associated with over-concentration of mineral supply.
The third economic dimension and
perhaps the most overlooked s innovation. Africa has become a global leader in
digital finance adoption. Fintech ecosystems such as Kenya’s M-Pesa have
demonstrated models of mass-scale financial inclusion that even developed
economies study today. The continent’s leapfrogging into mobile-banking,
blockchain-enabled remittances and AI-assisted agricultural platforms reflects
a rapid adoption curve.
For Malaysia, Africa offers both
a partnership opportunity and a scalable innovation frontier, making it an
ideal context to expand investments in its digital economy blueprint,
cybersecurity governance, and fintech regulatory frameworks. Rather than
exporting outdated systems, Malaysia can co-develop frameworks that respond to
real-world deployment environments.
Beyond economics, Africa’s
relevance to Malaysia extends into cultural and civilizational spheres. Shared
Islamic identity links Malaysia with North Africa, the Horn of Africa and parts
of West Africa.
Historically, students from
Sudan, Nigeria, Kenya and Somalia have studied in Malaysia, creating
long-standing professional and cultural ties. Academic partnerships, technical
training programs, religious diplomacy and cultural exchanges can serve as soft-power
multipliers that building trust and familiarity that endure regardless of
political cycles.
Therefore, I strongly argue that
Malaysia urgently needs a dedicated African studies research centre whether in
public or private universities to foster meaningful collaboration between
Malaysian and African scholars.
Without such a platform,
opportunities for knowledge exchange, joint innovation, and leveraging each
region’s unique strengths will be lost, leaving Malaysia perpetually reactive
rather than shaping its engagement with a continent whose strategic importance
is rapidly escalating.
However, engagement requires
pragmatism. Africa’s development trajectories are not uniform. Institutional
capacity varies widely across states; infrastructure gaps, complex regulatory
systems and governance challenges still pose real risks.
Malaysia must therefore approach
expansion with structured caution: joint ventures instead of unilateral entry,
staged investments rather than rapid deployment, and government-to-government
frameworks to reduce exposure and increase predictability.
The lesson from other foreign actors
particularly China, Turkey and Gulf states is clear: long-term success comes
from patience, partnership and respect, not short-term opportunism.
Ultimately, the future of global
power will not be defined solely by historical or traditional blocs. Instead,
it will emerge from coalitions grounded in shared interests: security, trade,
digital governance, climate mitigation and supply-chain resilience.
The opportunity is fleeting, the
stakes unmistakable: Africa is rising, and for Malaysia, delay is not an option
- its strategic relevance is demanded today, not at some distant tomorrow.
24.11.2025
Kuala Lumpur.
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