The recently concluded second Indonesia-Africa Forum, held from September 1 to 3 in Bali, marks a significant milestone in enhancing economic collaboration between Indonesia and African nationsThis event is notable not only for being the first of its kind hosted by Indonesia since 2018 but also for its commitment to solidifying partnerships aimed at fostering growth and development in both regionsThe conference revolved around the theme “Bamboo Spirit Supporting Africa's Agenda 2063, Aligning with the ‘Golden Vision Indonesia 2045’,” and highlighted four key priority areas: economic transformation, energy and minerals, food security, and health and development cooperation.
During the forum, Indonesian President Joko Widodo emphasized the urgent need to revive global solidarity, advocating for increased South-South and North-South cooperationThis call to action is particularly relevant in a time marked by economic stagnation, rampant unemployment and inflation, and continuing geopolitical tensions
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He stressed that the principles of multilateralism are increasingly being sidelined, causing fragmentation in the global order, with developing nations bearing the brunt of these challenges.
In addressing sustainable development, President Widodo articulated the importance of aligning global development goals with national and regional priorities, including Africa's Agenda 2063. This alignment, supported by partnerships with multiple stakeholders, is seen as vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Indonesia reaffirms its commitment to championing the interests of the Global South and strives to be a builder of equality, justice, and solidarity while accelerating the realization of the SDGs—a commitment that dates back to the historic Asian-African Conference in 1955, where Indonesia first demonstrated its dedication to international cooperation.
The cooperation potential between Indonesia and Africa is vast, as outlined by Deputy Foreign Minister Pahala Mansury
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He noted that both regions have ample opportunities for collaboration in four priority areasFor instance, Indonesia imports approximately 500,000 to 600,000 barrels of oil daily, while Africa holds about 12% of global oil reservesAdditionally, Indonesia is actively developing an electric vehicle ecosystem and requires essential minerals such as nickel, copper, lithium, cobalt, and graphite—resources that are increasingly abundant in various African nations.
Food security emerged as another crucial area for collaboration, as both Indonesia and Africa collectively house around 1.7 billion people who rely on sustainable agricultural practices to produce enough foodIn the realm of healthcare, Indonesia has produced approximately 1 billion vaccine doses for African nations, showcasing the critical importance of enhancing health sectors in both regions to improve human capital indices.
Furthermore, Minister of Investment Bahlil Lahadalia highlighted the promising prospects of developing electric vehicle battery technology as a complementary industry due to Indonesia's substantial nickel reserves—the largest in the world
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Countries like Zimbabwe, rich in lithium, and Morocco, with phosphate resources, present collaborative opportunities in battery manufacturingAdditionally, both Indonesia and African nations are well-positioned to explore marine economic cooperation and the production and sale of palm oil, given Indonesia's extensive coastal line and a wealth of opportunities within the seaweed industryThe country has expressed openness to assisting Africa in developing this sector.
Deputy Minister of National Development Planning, Bogat Widiyaatmo, remarked that the outcomes of the high-level forum on multi-stakeholder partnerships in 2024 would culminate in policy recommendations aimed at supporting the achievement of the SDGs by 2030. Participating parties have shown a willingness to make new commitments and establish a framework for multi-party collaboration by effectively sharing knowledge and resources—an essential move towards enhancing cooperation among governments, the private sector, and civil society.
While the current financial architecture offers limited benefits to southern hemisphere nations, Indonesia is committed to working alongside other stakeholders to devise innovative financing solutions that would eliminate barriers related to access and requirements within financial markets
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In this evolving landscape, international cooperation must adapt to contemporary challenges and yield more optimized, adaptable outcomes for collaborations among southern hemisphere countries or global nations.
Moreover, the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment announced collaborative geothermal projects being developed in Kenya, involving Indonesian state-owned oil company and international partnersTwo geothermal projects are set for completion by late 2024 and early 2025, with a specific focus on tapping into Kenya’s significant geothermal energy potentialA world-class geothermal plant with a capacity of 500 megawatts, located at SUSWA, is anticipated to commence commercial operations by 2027, further buttressing energy collaboration between Indonesia and Africa.
Overall, the Indonesia-Africa Forum has yielded a range of positive outcomes, cementing agreements across various sectors, including health, energy, food security, defense industries, and infrastructure development
According to the Indonesian Foreign Ministry, total agreements reached during the forum amount to about $2.95 billion, covering diverse areas such as health, energy, food security, and defense, which is close to six times the outcomes of the inaugural forum in 2018. Additionally, several cooperation agreements will continue to be discussed following the forum.
Indonesia has also agreed to formulate a “2024-2029 Strategic Partnership Action Plan” with South Africa, which includes enhancing commercial ties through visa exemptions and exploring favorable trade agreements, alongside strengthening trade relationships with the East African Community in sectors such as healthcare, food, textiles, and apparelThese strategic moves underscore Indonesia's commitment to forging robust partnerships that will enable both regions to navigate and tackle shared challenges while promoting sustainable growth.