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  • The Significance of Global Governance Initiative (GGI) for African Countries’ Development Path

    The Significance of Global Governance Initiative (GGI) for African Countries’ Development Path

    By:

    -Li Chunguang, Beijing Foreign Studies University, PRC &

    -Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim,  University of Abuja, Nigeria

    The year 2025 marks the 80th anniversary of the United Nations. As a vital global governance system, the international governance mechanism centered on the UN, along with fundamental international norms based on the UN Charter and international law, has played a pivotal role in keeping the peace and development in the world. However, in recent years, amid the collective rise of the Global South, intensified geopolitical tensions, and escalating zero-sum games, the authority of the UN system has been eroded. This has resulted in systemic injustices faced by many developing nations, including African countries, as they seek to safeguard their interests and participate in global governance.

    Although developing nations, including China and African countries, have progressively enhanced their population scale, economic contributions, and governance capabilities, they remain at a disadvantage in terms of governance actors, mechanisms, and discourse. Reflecting on historical dimensions, the 2025 African Union Summit proposed rectifying historical injustices by demanding reparations from former colonial powers for the devastation inflicted on African nations through the slave trade, colonial rule, and economic reforms. Against the backdrop of a global governance deficit, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed a GRI initiative centered on “upholding sovereign equality, adhering to international rule of law, practicing multilateralism, advocating people-centered development, and emphasizing action-oriented approaches.”

    This initiative resonates with the reflections of developing nations like Africa on the existing global governance system’s power politics, protectionism, and hegemonic ideologies, gaining widespread acceptance worldwide. Regarding this initiative, Nigerian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Ebienfa stated: “The Nigerian government supports China’s global governance initiative and believes its core principles align with Nigeria’s national objectives. As Africa’s largest economy and a key participant in multilateral diplomacy, Nigeria and China will advance inclusive governance in areas such as UN reform, artificial intelligence, and cyberspace under this initiative, driving sustained reform of the global governance system.”

    China’s global governance initiative holds significant practical relevance. The protracted Ukraine crisis, the persistent Palestinian issue, and the actions of certain nations—advocating national prioritization, decoupling, withdrawing from international organizations, and halting international aid within multilateral political, economic, and cultural frameworks—have created substantial deficits in global development, security, culture, and governance. President Xi Jinping emphasized that “in response to the collective rise of the Global South, all nations should implement the four major global initiatives, jointly advance the building of a community with a shared future for mankind, and resolve common crises worldwide.”

    This initiative breaks away from the hegemonic practices of isolationism, zero-sum games, and intimidation by certain nations, embodying pragmatic cooperation among all countries through a process of consultation, sharing, and joint construction. Global governance initiative, integrated with the global security, civilization, and development initiatives, signifies a transformation in the subjects, methods, and objectives of the global governance system. Unlike the development models of some nations characterized by white supremacy, trade barriers, and unilateralism, the global governance initiative reshapes the “shared values” within multilateral cooperation, helping to address issues such as “structural imbalances” and “inefficiencies” in global governance. Countries worldwide can advance the coordinated development of the global governance system by strengthening “coordination among actors, coordination of concepts, coordination of platforms, and coordination of rules.”

    The Global South has undergone dynamic evolution from the Bandung Conference, the Non-Aligned Movement, the Group of 77, and the Third World, to the emergence of multilateral mechanisms spontaneously formed by developing nations and emerging economies, such as the BRICS cooperation framework and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization. Unlike the “small clubs” of developed nations like the G7, Global South countries including African nations—have long occupied unequal positions within the global governance system. Consequently, rectifying historical injustices and dismantling Western zero-sum thinking have become fair and reasonable demands for Global South nations, particularly African countries. At the G20 Summit, the transition toward an international governance system characterized by “African leadership, African consent, and African benefit” has emerged as a new trend in the development of the Global South. The urgent need to advance a global governance framework widely embraced by African nations and other Global South countries is now undeniable.

    What constitutes global governance? This concept emerged during the era of multipolar world development in the 1990s. Transcending the boundaries of individual nations, transnational and transregional international organizations have shaped today’s global governance institutions and mechanisms. Unlike the Western-oriented global governance that emerged in the 1990s, the Global Governance Initiative emphasizes the importance of developing countries’ governance actors, institutions, platforms, values, and outcomes. It aims to break free from their “governed” status in political, economic, trade, technological, and aid sectors.

    Equal, inclusive, comprehensive, and systematic multilateral governance has become a widely shared consensus among nations. Implementing the global governance initiative will help refine the current relatively lagging global governance system. Moreover, China’s advocacy for this initiative does not seek to establish a new framework from scratch. Instead, it firmly upholds the authority and central role of the United Nations, supports the UN in implementing the Future Pact, and promotes solidarity and cooperation among nations to collectively address challenges from all sides.

    In recent years, confronting the multifaceted challenges faced by Global South nations such as Nigeria, India, South Africa, Brazil, and Russia, China has actively leveraged multilateral platforms that bring together Global South countries—including the BRICS Plus mechanism, G20+, and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation to advance the reform and development of the global governance system.

    The collective rise of Global South nations and African countries has gained enhanced voice and influence. The global governance system is shifting toward greater fairness and rationality, fostering broader cooperation among Global South nations. It also facilitates the following:

    1.  Promoting Enhanced Voice and Influence for African Nations

    The emergence of the global governance system has compelled developed nations to acknowledge the development and contributions of Global South countries, including Africa, thereby amplifying their influence within the global governance framework.

    The inaugural G20 Summit in South Africa, the successive additions of Egypt and Ethiopia to the BRICS framework, Uganda and Nigeria becoming BRICS partner countries, and the successful China-Africa Cooperation Forum Summit collectively propelled Global South nations including African countries—toward achieving independent development while gradually reducing reliance on Western nations.

    In advancing political, economic, and security integration, African nations have strengthened the pivotal role of the African Union’s coordination mechanisms. Guided by Pan-Africanism and the Ubuntu spirit, countries are fostering mutual cooperation in global governance to counter interference by developed nations in the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and domestic affairs of certain African states.

    Despite this, some nations persist in using false pretexts like religion and human rights to threaten and interfere with African countries. While safeguarding their own interests, African nations have shattered Western hegemony and the law of the jungle. This helps lead the Global South in collectively enhancing Africa’s voice and influence, while actively countering sanctions imposed by certain countries.

    1. Advancing Fair and Reasonable Reforms in Global Governance

    The African Union’s accession to the G20, the appointment of the first African woman as WTO Director-General, and the increased ratification of intangible cultural heritage by African nations all demonstrate how, under the framework of global governance initiatives, African countries are actively seeking changes in the global governance system commensurate with their international standing.

    As data indicates, since the early 21st century, the rapid development of developing countries and emerging markets, including African nations, has contributed up to 80% to global economic growth. Yet, the Global South, including most African countries, has not enjoyed commensurate leadership and voting rights. For instance, the International Monetary Fund adjusted quotas and voting rights in 2016, increasing developing countries’ quotas by 6 percentage points. Yet, least developed countries hold only 3.5% of voting rights—far below the 23.8% target set for the United Nations. Furthermore, the fact that six G7 member states command over half of the IMF’s voting rights has sparked questions from Global South nations regarding equitable representation.

    Despite the significant contributions made by Global South nations in balancing development, security, and governance, the current unreasonable global governance system traps African countries and other Global South nations within an unjust framework. Safeguarding the collective identity, collective voice, and collective stance of the Global South will help steer reforms in the global governance system toward a more equitable and rational direction.

    1. Promoting Broader International Cooperation Between Africa and Global South Nations

    The Global Governance Initiative has advanced South-South cooperation among developing countries. While gradually expanding exchanges and collaboration between African nations and other Global South countries, it has also fostered development within the Global South in sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. This initiative has further propelled and guided Global South nations in jointly addressing the challenges of globalization.

    Open and inclusive international multilateral cooperation has fostered multifaceted collaboration in trade, technology, and other domains, crystallizing a distinctive value proposition for Global South cooperation. For instance, through solidarity and coordination, Global South nations have avoided being drawn into the geopolitical rivalries of Western powers or the turmoil of color revolutions.

    The GRI Initiative will help African nations strengthen multilateral cooperation mechanisms, preventing unilateral hegemonic politics, protectionism, and tariff policies from creating divisions, fragmentation, and conflicts in their political systems and ideologies.

    In conclusion therefore, it is pertinent to argue that, in the face of the collective rise of the Global South, a fair and reasonable global governance system will help propel the world toward greater democratization, peaceful international system and development.

  • Recalibrating Global Governance: Giving the Global South Its Seat at the Head Table

    Recalibrating Global Governance: Giving the Global South Its Seat at the Head Table

    By Hui Fan

    The collective rise of the Global South is the hallmark of a world in profound transformation. In 2025, UNESCO had its first Arab Director General, and Latin America is leading the race for the next U.N. Secretary General. Organizations such as BRICS and the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) now represent a growing share of global GDP and population.

    Yet, the world’s governance architecture grows increasingly out of step with today’s reality. The voice of the Global South remains subdued in institutions shaped by the post-war West. Reform is no longer optional; it is essential.

    An Outdated System

    At the World Bank, developing countries hold 47% of its voting rights, despite accounting for approximately 60% of global GDP in PPP terms and 80% of world economic growth. At the IMF, the U.S. retains a 16.49% voting share, enough to veto any major decision, while the more than 40 sub-Saharan African countries combined hold less than 5% of the voting share.

    This disparity is not only statistical. Global attention and funding are channeled to major-power geopolitical competition, while long-term, existential challenges such as climate change, poverty, and public health are marginalized. Development financing is diverted to security agendas, sidelining the South’s urgent needs for industrialization, infrastructure, and job creation.

    Rules are written in the North, but the costs are borne disproportionately by the South. The unilateral Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), for instance, forces developing nations to comply with a complex carbon pricing system, unfairly penalizing their exports and development needs. Another example is the global minimum corporate tax. It undermines the fiscal sovereignty of Global South countries by stripping them of legitimate tools like tax incentives once used by rich nations themselves.

    Hand the Microphone to the 80% of Global Growth

    How to foster greater balance and equity in the world? Well, it starts with giving all nations a fair say. All sovereign countries, regardless of size or wealth, are equal members of the international community and are entitled to have a say in decisions that affect everyone. The answer is all too clear: making sure developing countries have a place at the table.

    It means firmly rejecting double standards, cherry-picking, unilateralism and exclusive clubs. It means upholding the international rule of law and the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter. And it means empowering the U.N. to tackle the world’s most pressing challenges in development, security and trust.

    What we need is a system that works for everyone, one that bridges the North-South gap and spreads the benefits of global cooperation to all. And there must be action-oriented and results-driven solutions to deliver this vision.

    China’s Playbook

    These are the very principles that underpin China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI)—a proposal to make global institutions more inclusive, rules-based, and results-oriented.

    Unlike the gated clubs some powers keep expanding, the GGI unlocks doors through SCO+ and other platforms initiated and led by emerging markets, offering the Global South a real alternative and opportunities to foster open, pragmatic partnerships focused on shared development.

    Unlike the protectionist power that slaps tariffs on the vulnerable, the GGI aims to erase them. China’s Belt and Road Initiative is broadening participation in global trade through reduced trade costs and cross-border digital currency payments. And China’s zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines to all least developed countries and African countries having diplomatic relations with China helps turn China’s big market into a big opportunity for the South.

    Unlike the “my-country-first” chorus that keeps sidelining U.N. resolutions, the GGI envisions a more balanced, multipolar system of global governance. China calls for U.N. reform geared toward strategic planning, practical results, and greater representation for developing countries, and is convinced that multilateralism delivers when it represents the many, not the few.

    The Four Initiatives

    The GGI is not a standalone proposal. Rather, it is part of a set of proposals China put forward to address global challenges: the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI), and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI).

    The GDI serves as a master key designed to crack development bottlenecks. The GSI acts as a firewall that aims to bring about common, comprehensive, cooperative, and sustainable security. The GCI functions as a bridge that brings different cultures closer together. The GGI operates as a calibrator—the institutional and normative framework that ties the other three together.

    Eighty years ago, the U.N. was founded to “save succeeding generations from the scourge of war.” Today, that mission endures but needs renewal. Reforming global governance is to update the U.N. and the broader multilateral institutions to reflect the world as it is, not as it was.

    Proposals like the GGI point toward that recalibration—one where rules are shared, representation is fair, and cooperation is built on equality. And these truly represent the common aspiration of humanity, a deep understanding of historical imperatives, and a warm embrace of our era’s responsibilities.

     

    The author is a Beijing-based observer of international affairs.

  • Redefining Africa’s Voice in Global Governance: The Promise of China’s Global Governance Initiative

    Redefining Africa’s Voice in Global Governance: The Promise of China’s Global Governance Initiative

    By Prof Udenta O. Udenta

    “Africa is a fertile land of hope of the 21st century. There will be no global modernization without African modernization. The stability and development of Africa is vital to the future of humanity, and the world must listen to Africa and heed its concerns.” Wang Yi, Chinese Foreign Minister ( remarks made to the UN audience on March 7, 2025).

    A New Dawn for Africa in the World Order

    The global governance architecture of the 21st century is at a familiar crossroads: institutions shaped in a different era are now confronting realities they were never built to address. Instead of new powerhouses ushering in fresh formats, the momentum is shifting from the traditional North alone to a rising Global South. The question is: can Africa step from being spoken to into becoming a speaker? And might the recently introduced Global Governance Initiative (GGI), championed by the People’s Republic of China, present such an opportunity?

    Announced formally in 2025, the GGI articulates a Chinese-proposed pathway for reforming and strengthening global governance. It builds on the older pillars of the international system while emphasizing five guiding concepts: sovereign equality, international rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centred approach, and real results.

    For Africa, this presents both a window of possibility and an imperative. If African states engage with the GGI proactively, they stand to redefine their global voice and reposition themselves as essential actors in a more balanced global governance system.

    Why Africa Stands to Benefit

    i. Elevating Representation and Voice

    One of the central critiques of the current global governance system is the democratic deficit that many developing countries experience: decision-making tables where their voices are muted. The GGI explicitly recognises this challenge. In the words of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, “the pressing task is to make special arrangements to meet Africa’s aspiration as a priority.”

    For Africa, this signals a shift from being peripheral stakeholders to being central contributors. That means that African states participating in global reform, whether at the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank or the United Nations Security Council, can expect more inclusive pathways. For instance, the GGI supports advancing quota realignment at the IMF and shareholding review at the World Bank.
    This matters deeply for African countries seeking to influence the rules, not just abide by them.

    ii. Development and Capacity-Building at the Centre

    Governance is not only about rules and representation; it is about outcomes. The GGI emphasises mobilising global resources for development, placing development back at the centre of international agenda.
    Africa has long sought partners who can accompany growth, not just finance it. With China’s increased offer to share technology, infrastructure, and capacity-building seen in earlier frameworks like the Forum on China‑Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the China‑Africa Development Fund, Africa has an opportunity to harness large-scale development partnerships and transform them into inclusive governance levers.
    A practical example: when Kenyan President William Ruto visited China, the two countries signed agreements on science & technology, vocational education, e-commerce and transport infrastructure (20 such accords in total). Reuters reported how Kenya and China stated they would lead “the development of China-Africa relations and unity and cooperation of the Global South.”
    This link between development and governance means African states can translate investments into a stronger voice. The notion is not only “we will build infrastructure” but “we will help shape the global system that honours African ownership”.

    iii. From Reactive to Proactive: Africa as Rule-Maker

    With the GGI advocating a world where the Global South is not just a beneficiary but also a “pivotal force in global governance reform,” Africa finds itself in the position of helping to write the rules for once.
    Imagine African nations helping set standards for AI governance, digital data flows, climate finance, and multilateral trade rules. Already, the GGI speech refers to AI governance platforms and underscores the need for developing countries to be part of setting the technical standards.
    For the continent, this means no longer waiting for global norms to trickle down, but rather shaping those norms so that they reflect African values, priorities and ambitions.

    Real-Life Illustrations of What Could Change

    Consider the ideal of equal quota and shareholding review at the IMF and World Bank. Historically African countries have held only marginal shares and therefore limited influence. Under the GGI framework, a genuine realignment means Africa could secure greater voice in how international financial rules are set and enforced. In turn that strengthens Africa’s negotiating power and lessens dependency.
    In the realm of regional organisations and platforms, the GGI signals support for the growing role of emerging marketplaces such as the BRICS co-operation. China pledges support for their “high-quality development” with fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness as key principles.
    By extension, African economies within BRICS and other forums can elevate their geopolitical weight. The continent’s involvement in regional security, digital governance and sustainable development will thereby also feed into global rule-making.
    Take the example of Africa’s digital infrastructure and data sovereignty. Academics are already pointing to Africa’s need to design a blueprint for digital infrastructure and the flow of data free from undue external control. With China’s GGI-driven technological cooperation, Africa might access platforms and capacity to help shape the rules of digital governance.
    Another example: climate and green transition. The GGI statement demands developed countries deliver their emission reduction commitments and provide financial & technological support to developing countries. Africa, which bears the brunt of climate change despite being a minor emitter, can use this framework to demand genuine partnerships in the green economy. Over time this may give African governments stronger standing in global climate negotiations, turning from plea to peer.

    What Might Africa’s Role Look Like in Five to Ten Years?

    To envision what a redefined African voice looks like under the GGI, let us consider a set of plausible projections:

    By 2030: African nations occupy at least two new seats at key decision-making tables in major global financial institutions (such as IMF, World Bank reform boards) reflecting new quotas. They co-lead shaping standard-setting bodies for AI ethics, digital data governance and green financing with equal partnership from China and other global south peers.

    By 2034: Africa hosts major multilateral summits (for instance a G20 outreach session or UN special session) under a “Global South leadership” banner, where African voices articulate common priorities and negotiate as a bloc rather than a patchwork of national interests.

    By 2035: There is an export-oriented African institutional infrastructure for governance: for example a continental African mediation and conflict resolution body co-branded under GGI frameworks, digitised capacity-building hubs, and Africa-led regional standards for climate adaptation financing and infrastructure investment.

    By 2040: Global governance is characterised by a tripolar dynamic rather than a unipolar or bipolar world: developed economies, the Global South (with Africa central) and emerging powers all contribute structurally to governance. African input is visible in rule-making, not only implementation. For example Africa participates in a global AI standards body where it leads a “digital sovereignty for developing nations” cluster.
    In short, Africa would evolve from the margins of global governance into a meaningful power centre and become one of the voices that shape how the world is governed.

    Challenges and Why Africa Must Act Strategically

    Of course this transformation is not automatic. The GGI offers promise but not guarantee. Several caveats are worth noting:
    Representation without capacity is hollow. Africa must build institutional strength, train diplomats and technocrats in rule-making, negotiate like mature partners, and not merely be framing partners.
    Choosing the right partnerships matters. Engagement with China’s GGI must be balanced with safeguarding national interest and avoiding dependency or hidden vulnerabilities.
    Governance also means accountability. Africa must bring its own house in order. Transparent institutions, rule of law, infrastructure management and digital governance must improve so that Africa’s voice is credible.
    Global geopolitics will remain competitive. While the GGI signals cooperation, Africa still needs to navigate rival powers, debt traps, technology transfer negotiations and potential influence asymmetries.
    That said, the alternative is worse: staying on the side-lines while others determine how governance evolves.

    Why the Time is Right

    Why now? Because the times favour Africa in unexpected ways.
    The weight of historical injustice is building global pressure on reform. The documented under-representation of Africa and the Global South is no longer hidden. The GGI explicitly recognises that “the Global South is rising as a whole” and that “developing countries equally take part in major global governance decision-making is key to just and effective governance.”
    Further, Africa’s growth trajectories are compelling. With youthful populations, abundant resources, growing digital penetration and continental trade initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), African economies are not just recipients; they are markets, innovation hubs and strategic partners. When you combine this with a governance push from China’s GGI, you have a potent mix: Africa’s rise becoming endogenous to the new governance architecture.
    And lastly, the shifting global dynamic show major powers facing internal constraints, rising multipolarity, and an urgent need for global institutional reform. All of this means that Africa’s time to act is now. The GGI is a door opening.

    The Human Dimension: Africa’s Story in the Making

    Beyond boards and summits, there is a deeper human story here. Consider young Nigerians connecting to global data centres, African agripreneurs accessing Chinese–African funded platforms, climate-vulnerable communities securing adaptation funds whose standards they helped design. When African states occupy chairs at global tables, the result is not just more power, it is more dignity for millions who feel decisions were taken without them.
    For example in my home country Nigeria, being part of shaping AI governance means safeguards that reflect our context: how do AI systems respect local languages? How do data flows preserve our privacy in a context of weaker regulation? When Africa has a voice, technologies do not get imported wholesale, rather they will get adopted in ways that serve Africans.
    When African infrastructure investments are embedded in governance frameworks the result is less “white elephant” projects and more community-benefit. When African countries craft digital and trade standards, our young tech innovators have rules that favour them, not leave them outside global markets. That is humanity in action: the many, not the few.

    Africa’s Voice, Reimagined

    The Global Governance Initiative is more than yuan-denominated rhetoric or a new talk shop. For Africa it presents a strategic pathway: from being governed to governing, from being represented to representing, from being beneficiaries to being architects. The benefits are real: stronger voice at the table, more equitable development partnerships, rule-setting participation and a stake in shaping a future world system.

    But to derive these benefits Africa must act: build capacity, negotiate with purpose, align development with governance, and place people at the core. If African nations seize this moment, by 2035 or 2040 we might look back and say: this was the decade when Africa transformed from being the subject of global decisions to being a central author of them.

    As we move forward, Africa must look at the GGI and see not just cooperation but co-leadership. Not just infrastructure but institutional influence. Not just assistance but agency. For as the world shifts, Africa’s voice need no longer whisper; it can resonate loud and clear.

    For Africa, the promise is immense. But it will not be delivered by chance. Africa must choose to step in, raise its voice, and join the rule-making process. The world will listen, and even more, it will adapt.

  • Nigeria and the Global Governance Initiative: Building a New Model of Partnership with China

    Nigeria and the Global Governance Initiative: Building a New Model of Partnership with China

    By Prof Udenta O. Udenta

    Nigeria is at the dawn of a transformative era in global relations, entering a new model of partnership through China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI). This initiative emphasizes people-centred, action-driven collaboration across key sectors that shape the future; trade diversification, green energy transition, and digital innovation. As Nigeria deepens its engagement under the GGI, it stands to unlock sweeping economic opportunities while asserting its role as a shaper of emerging global governance frameworks. This article explores how Nigeria can harness gains in these crucial areas, positioning itself for sustainable development and greater influence on international standards.

    Rethinking Nigeria’s Trade Pathway: Beyond Oil Dependency

    Nigeria’s chronic dependence on oil exports has long impeded the growth of a resilient and diversified economy. Fluctuating oil prices expose the country to economic shocks, while global demand for fossil fuels wanes, amid climate concerns. The GGI framework, by promoting sovereign equality, multilateral cooperation, and fair trade practices, equips Nigeria with a platform to accelerate trade diversification.
    Through this initiative, Nigeria can leverage partnerships to enhance compliance with international trade standards and technical regulations, thus expanding its exports in agriculture, manufacturing, and services. Deepening regional trade via the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) complements this, providing an expansive market to promote Nigerian products and attract investment into value-adding industries. The GGI’s people-centred principle ensures that trade expansion translates to real economic advancement by creating jobs and supporting local entrepreneurship.
    Furthermore, Nigeria’s strategic role within the GGI allows it to contribute to reforming existing trade governance, advocating for African perspectives in shaping fairer global trade rules.

    Green Energy Innovation: Nigeria as a Renewable Energy Hub

    Nigeria’s energy sector presents one of the most promising arenas for GGI-driven cooperation, particularly in renewable energy development. Nigeria is targeting a $410 billion investment opportunity in energy transition by 2060 to expand energy access and create a sustainable, decentralized power grid capable of generating 277 gigawatts.

    The vision includes localizing manufacturing of solar panels, energy storage solutions, and battery recycling, ensuring that Nigeria does not just consume but leads in green technology deployment. This aligns with GGI’s real actions principle: tangible public-private partnerships and innovation-led growth that benefits the Nigerian people directly.

    Enhanced regulatory frameworks and incentives for local industry development are being prioritized to de-risk private investments in renewable energy projects. Nigeria’s role in the initiative underscores Africa’s position in global green energy transition debates and the continent’s potential to serve as a renewable energy supply chain hub. The collaboration seeks to establish nodal renewable energy grids that integrate solar, wind, and possibly hydro technologies to provide reliable, affordable electricity to millions currently underserved.

    This infrastructure expansion is expected to generate thousands of jobs and spur industrialization in off-grid and rural communities while reducing carbon emissions, a strategic advantage amid global climate action efforts.

    Digital Innovation: Building Tech Hubs and Bridging the Digital Divide

    Digital innovation stands at the forefront of Nigeria’s development ambitions under the GGI framework. The country recently signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding with Denmark to foster collaboration in artificial intelligence, broadband expansion, and digital governance. This agreement exemplifies the people-centred governance principle by emphasizing inclusive access to technology, capacity building for Nigerian tech talent, and fostering an innovation ecosystem that supports local start-ups and international partnerships.

    A concrete manifestation of this initiative is Nigeria’s 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) programme, designed to train and deploy digital professionals across the continent. Denmark’s €12 million commitment backing this programme will provide resources to scale up broadband infrastructure, pilot smart governance systems, and facilitate knowledge exchange, boosting Nigeria’s digital economy.

    The drive under GGI also promotes the development of technology hubs and innovation centers, especially in emerging digital sectors like AI, blockchain, and fintech. Nigeria’s significant youth population and entrepreneurial dynamism position it to become a leader in shaping regulatory frameworks for emerging technologies, aligning with GGI’s focus on setting global standards inclusively.

    Shaping Global Governance and Standards

    Beyond sectoral gains, Nigeria’s involvement in the GGI represents a strategic move to influence global governance reforms. The initiative advocates for more equitable representation within international organizations and the creation of multilateral frameworks better suited to contemporary geopolitical realities.
    Nigeria leverages this platform to amplify African voices in discussions of trade rules, climate commitments, and digital regulation. This participatory approach ensures that emerging global standards are reflective of diverse developmental contexts and are conducive to fair competition and technological progress.
    Such involvement also demonstrates Nigeria’s evolving stature as a global governance actor, pursuing not preferential treatment, but a rules-based system where all nations exercise agency and share responsibilities.
    The initiative’s results-oriented approach means Nigeria is not just a beneficiary but a stakeholder in global governance innovation, providing constructive input into multilateral efforts that affect global trade rules, climate action targets, and the governance of emerging technologies.

    Prospective Gains and Strategic Outlook

    The future benefits Nigeria may realize under the GGI include:
    -Development of expansive, decentralized renewable energy grids that enhance energy security, enable industrialization, and create jobs across multiple states.
    -Establishment of local manufacturing clusters in solar technology and battery recycling, supporting Nigeria’s industrial strategy and export competitiveness in green tech.
    -Expansion of Nigeria’s digital infrastructure and talent pipeline through partnerships like the MoU with Denmark, scaling broadband, advancing AI capacities, and supporting technology start-ups.
    -Stronger influence in setting global standards on trade, climate policies, and digital governance, aligned with Nigeria’s sovereign interests and developmental priorities.
    -Leveraging GGI’s multilateral cooperation to deepen trade diversification, reducing economic vulnerability by expanding into agriculture, manufacturing, and technological services.

    This model moves away from past dependency-based frameworks and instead champions an equitable, inclusive partnership driven by tangible outcomes for the Nigerian people. It recognizes Nigeria’s potential as both a leader in African development and a key player in shaping a more just global governance architecture.

    A Partnership for People and Progress

    The Global Governance Initiative offers Nigeria a fresh, pragmatic model for international partnership; one that prioritizes people’s welfare and measurable actions over rhetoric. Through strategic engagement in trade diversification, green energy advancement, and digital innovation, Nigeria is poised to rewrite its development narrative. It moves away from legacy dependencies and toward a resilient, technology-driven, and sustainable economy integrated into a just global system.

    As Nigeria negotiates this path, it stands to benefit not just from economic gains but from increased influence in setting the rules that will govern the 21st century. This positions the country not only as a beneficiary but as a leader shaping the future of global governance in a way that aligns with its aspirations and those of the broader Global South. The journey ahead holds immense promise, charting a course toward inclusive prosperity and a more balanced international order.

  • The Global Governance Initiative and the Quest for a Multipolar World

    The Global Governance Initiative and the Quest for a Multipolar World

    By Prof. Udenta O. Udenta

    The world is changing, and the winds of that change are no longer blowing from a single direction. For decades, the global order has danced to the familiar rhythm of Western dominance, a system where a few powerful states set the tempo while others followed in step. However, today, the drumbeats are multiplying. From Beijing to Moscow, from Brasília to Pretoria, voices once considered peripheral are finding their cadence. As the world drifts from Western dominance toward shared power, the Global Governance Initiative offers Africa and Nigeria in particular, a new stage to shape global fairness and equity.

    The Global Governance Initiative (GGI)

    The Global Governance Initiative (GGI), launched by China, represents a progressive international framework aimed at enhancing cooperation among nations to address pressing global issues such as climate change, inequality, and sustainable development. Central to GGI’s mission is the transformation of established global institutions such as the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, and World Bank – to ensure they are more inclusive, transparent, and attuned to the complexities of contemporary geopolitical dynamics. By advocating for a recalibration of global power structures, the initiative seeks to diminish Western hegemony while elevating the influence of emerging economies, especially those from the Global South, thereby fostering a more equitable and multipolar world order.

    A World Beyond the Old Order

    The world is moving beyond the old order. For much of modern history, global governance has been built around Western dominated institutions such as the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and NATO. The West has acted as both the architect and the referee of this system. While this post-World War II framework brought stability, it also cemented inequalities that continue to influence international relations today.
    The Global Governance Initiative emerges as a quiet yet bold call for change. It insists that fairness and inclusivity, rather than dominance or dependency, should shape the next chapter of global cooperation. By focusing on sovereign equality, true multilateralism, the rule of law, and development centered on people, the GGI echoes the Global South’s call for a more balanced and just international order.
    In the words of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, the GGI “is not about replacing one system with another but about improving global governance so that every country’s voice counts.” This message is subtle but profound: the world is shifting from command to consensus, from dominance to dialogue.
    The Western monopoly on moral authority and agenda-setting is giving way to a more diverse framework; one that welcomes the legitimacy of many worldviews. The era of a single voice speaking for all is fading, and consequently, a multipolar world is beginning to take shape. As an African saying reminds us, “No matter how long the night, the day will surely break.” The new dawn of global governance promises shared power and shared purpose.

    China and Africa: Partners in Fairness and Equity

    China and Africa share a unique kinship; both have wrestled with marginalization and both seek reform of a system that often overlooks the needs of developing nations. As the African proverb goes, “Until the lion learns to write, the story will always glorify the hunter,” underscoring the importance of Africa having an active voice on the global stage. Similarly, China, with its own journey of overcoming historic exclusion, positions itself through the GGI not as a hegemon but as a partner committed to equity, justice, and genuine cooperation. Africa’s engagement with the GGI aligns with its broader aspiration to carve out a more prominent role globally. The 2025 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Changsha Declaration explicitly advocates for an “equal and orderly multipolar world,” reflecting a desire for governance that mirrors the diversity of its peoples and the equality of nations. Both China and Africa can exemplify a new form of partnership; one rooted in mutual respect and pragmatic collaboration, rather than aid dependency. As the African saying goes, “Wisdom does not come overnight,” emphasizing patience and collective effort. Through the GGI, they aim to promote:
    Fairness: Every country, regardless of size or strength, deserves a voice at the global table.
    Inclusivity: Addressing the concerns of developing nations, from debt to climate change, as central to international policy.
    Equity: Reforming global financial institutions to amplify the voice of the developing world, making it more legitimate and representative. This partnership reflects a shared understanding that “a bird with one wing cannot fly,” emphasizing unity and mutual support for sustainable progress.
    For too long, Africa has been described as the world’s “next frontier.” Under a multipolar order, it must instead be recognized as a current partner – vibrant, strategic, and essential to the architecture of global governance.

    Multipolarity and the Power of Global South Cooperation

    One of the most transformative ideas within the GGI is the emphasis on Global South (Africa, Asia, and Latin America) cooperation/collaboration among developing countries to reduce reliance on single power blocs.
    A multipolar world encourages Africa, Asia, and Latin America to build horizontal relationships; trading, investing, and innovating together, rather than waiting for direction from traditional Western centers of power.
    This shift allows African countries to:
    Diversify partnerships beyond traditional Western ties;
    Pursue infrastructure, technology, and trade cooperation aligned with their own development goals;
    Reduce economic vulnerability by spreading risks across multiple partners;
    Reclaim moral and intellectual agency in defining global narratives.
    Indeed, the GGI reflects a world where the Global South no longer whispers its grievances but speaks its vision.
    Africa’s journey toward this cooperative future is visible in frameworks like the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which creates a unified market across 54 nations, and in regional organizations like ECOWAS and SADC that are deepening continental integration.
    In such a world, dependency gives way to interdependence. As another African proverb wisely puts it, “When spiders unite, they can tie down a lion.” Africa’s unity and partnerships through initiatives like the GGI can indeed tie down old hierarchies and reshape global priorities.

    Nigeria’s Voice in a Changing World

    Nigeria, as Africa’s largest democracy and one of its biggest economies, stands at the crossroads of this transformation. With its vast human capital and strategic influence, Nigeria’s participation in the GGI framework signals both opportunity and responsibility.

    Through the lens of multi-polarity, Nigeria can champion policies that reflect Africa’s growing confidence, from reforming global financial institutions to shaping digital governance and climate justice. Nigeria’s leadership can manifest in several ways:
    Institutional advocacy – pushing for reform of the UN Security Council, IMF, and World Bank to reflect Africa’s realities;
    Economic leadership – using AfCFTA as a platform to strengthen regional trade and industrial value chains;
    Policy innovation – leading global conversations on renewable energy, technology transfer, and food security;
    Cultural diplomacy – showcasing Africa’s intellectual and moral contributions to the world stage.
    By engaging through the GGI, Nigeria can help redefine what it means to be a “Global South” nation, not as a dependent actor but as a co-designer of global rules that govern trade, finance, and cooperation.
    More importantly, Nigeria’s participation would help ensure that Africa’s aspirations for security, dignity, and development are reflected in global decisions, not merely acknowledged in rhetoric.

    A Future Built on Shared Power

    The Global Governance Initiative is not a perfect blueprint, but it represents a courageous attempt to bridge the gap between rhetoric and reality, between the ideal of cooperation and the practice of power politics.
    Its true test lies in whether it can foster genuine partnerships rather than new hierarchies. Yet, its spirit resonates strongly with the world’s yearning for fairness, inclusion, and shared responsibility.
    For Africa, this is a historic moment. The continent stands not at the margins but at the center of global transformation; no longer reacting to change but defining it.
    For Nigeria, the challenge is clear: to lend its ideas, energy, and leadership to building a multipolar world that reflects the diversity of human experience and the dignity of all nations.
    The unipolar era taught us efficiency but not equality; the multipolar age may teach us cooperation, if we dare to learn.

    Ultimately, the quest for a multipolar world is not about rivalry but renewal; a renewal of trust, fairness, and global solidarity. If humanity is to thrive in the 21st century, governance must mirror its diversity. That is the promise of the Global Governance Initiative, and the opportunity that Nigeria and Africa must not ignore.

    About the Author
    Prof. Udenta O. Udenta is Nigeria’s founding National Secretary of the Alliance for Democracy and a prominent public intellectual. He writes frequently on political reform, international relations, and African development from a multidisciplinary perspective.

  • Implementing the Global Governance Initiative for a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity

    Implementing the Global Governance Initiative for a Community with a Shared Future for Humanity

    Remarks by H.E. Wang Yi
    Member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee
    And Foreign Minister of the People’s Republic of China
    At the 23rd Lanting Forum

    Beijing, October 27, 2025

    Distinguished Guests,
    Diplomatic Envoys,
    Friends,

    Good morning! It is my great pleasure to join you at the Lanting Forum in discussing how to improve global governance, expand solidarity and cooperation, and advance together toward a community with a shared future for humanity.

    A few days ago, we just celebrated the United Nations Day. Over the past 80 years, the international system with the U.N. at its core has been standing as a bedrock of world peace and development, and the idea of multilateralism has taken deep root in the heart of the people. Yet 80 years later today, the dregs of unilateralism are stirring up again, and global challenges are emerging one after another. How to reform and improve global governance to make it more relevant in the forthcoming multipolar world? That is a consequential question occupying minds everywhere.

    Last month, President Xi Jinping solemnly put forth the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), offering the Chinese answer to this question of our times. This major initiative features and advocates five core concepts: First, sovereign equality to ensure participation in global affairs by all countries; Second, international rule of law for a just and orderly global governance system; Third, multilateralism for greater solidarity and cooperation among all countries; Fourth, a people-centered approach for universally beneficial and inclusive outcomes of global governance; Fifth, real results for a pragmatic and efficient global governance process.

    The GGI builds on the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter, reflects the fine tradition of Chinese diplomacy, upholds the vision of a shared future, and sets out the principles, methods and paths to reform and improve global governance. It represents a creative advancement and elevation of our understanding of global governance as well as a breakthrough of theories of traditional international relations. It is a new major global public good contributed by China.

    The GGI responds to the needs of the world and wishes of the people. Together with the Global Development Initiative (GDI), the Global Security Initiative (GSI) and the Global Civilization Initiative (GCI), it promises much needed stability and provides certainty for this volatile world, and has received swift and clear support from more than 140 countries and international organizations. The international community believes that the Initiative is a timely call for solidarity in a world threatened by fragmentation, it holds up critical pillars when the U.N. foundation is being eroded, and it explicitly advocates togetherness instead of dominance as a rule of global governance. It believes the GGI represents the maximum commonality of all countries, it is a key measure to tackle global challenges and defend multilateralism, and that it is a critical step toward a more just and equitable world.

    The most unequivocal message from the GGI is a call for stronger solidarity. The world today is witnessing more than 50 ongoing conflicts of various types, with over 100 million people displaced. Such a world, marked by transformation and turbulence, is in greater need of enhanced global governance than ever before. Blind worship of might, power politics and bullying will only push the world back to the law of the jungle, and seriously undermine the foundation of the international system and rules. President Xi Jinping’s timely proposal of the GGI has sent a strong message that countries must come together to meet challenges, forging a consensus and a force for solidarity and cooperation to overcome division and confrontation.

    The GGI represents a most powerful statement of multilateralism. Multilateralism is the cornerstone of the current international order, and more importantly, the path that promises peace and development. Yet, it is faced with unprecedented challenges by willful acts that seek to abandon international organizations and agreements and to forge exclusive blocs. But the trend of history is irreversible, and a multipolar world is dawning. As advocated by the GGI, global affairs should be discussed by all, the global governance system built by all, and the governance outcomes shared by all. All acts of unilateralism must be rejected. This position reflects the trend of our times and the aspirations of the overwhelming majority of countries. It will boost the confidence and determination of the international community to practice multilateralism and enhance multilateral mechanisms.

    The most desired vision of the GGI is a future of fairness. It aims to make the global governance system more just and equitable and bring all together toward a community with a shared future for humanity. It calls for greater representation and voice for developing countries, and rejects bullying of the small and weak. It calls for equal and uniform application of international law and rules, and opposes imposing one’s own house rules on others. It calls for closing the North-South gap as soon as possible and better upholding the common interests of all countries. It calls on developed countries to earnestly fulfill their responsibilities and developing countries to seek strength through unity. The GGI shows not only the direction of global governance, but also the right path to get there. It will help safeguard the legitimate rights and interests of Global South countries and fundamentally rectify historical injustice.

    Friends,

    Vision lights up the path ahead, and cooperation opens up a better future. China is ready to work with all parties to put the GGI into action. We will engage consistently in equal consultation, listen to different views, and take useful advice with an open mind to build maximum consensus. We will base our creativity on past achievement, and make timely changes to reform and improve, rather than replace, the current international system. We will promote global governance reform with gradual and sustained effort to make it beneficial to the whole world. To this end, we should take the following actions.

    First, we should jointly uphold the authority and status of the U.N. to cement the foundation of global governance. The U.N.-centered international system has always been an important underpinning for human progress. It must be strengthened, not weakened. Failure to honor the purposes and principles of the U.N. Charter has led to the multitude of problems we face today. All countries should uphold the U.N. Charter and the basic norms governing international relations and fulfill international obligations in their entirety and in good faith. International rules should not be applied selectively according to one’s own interests. No one should be allowed to cripple the United Nations. Greater democracy and rule of law in international relations is an unstoppable process. As long as we stay determined and united, the U.N. will overcome difficulties and reinvigorate its authority and vitality.

    China supports the U.N. consistently and firmly. We have held a solemn commemoration of the 80th anniversary of the victory of the Chinese People’s War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War to uphold the outcomes of World War II and the post-war international order and safeguard international fairness and justice. The success of the Global Leaders’ Meeting on Women is China’s concrete action to empower the global women’s cause. We have announced the decision to set up a China-U.N. Global South-South Development Facility and establish in Shanghai a global center for sustainable development in partnership with the U.N. Development Program to speed up the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. We call on all countries to engage with the U.N. on the cooperation agendas across poverty reduction, infrastructure, education and health. The U.N.80 Initiative has reached a critical stage where member states are in consultation for its advancement. China supports the U.N. reform effort and will work with all countries to step up support for the U.N. system.

    Second, we should work together to advance common development to enhance the efficacy of global governance. International trade is a key engine for world economic growth. A WTO that plays its due role to safeguard an open and inclusive trade environment meets the fundamental interests of all sides. China has announced that while remaining a developing country, it will not seek new special and differential treatment in current and future negotiations at the WTO. This concrete action by China is a vote of confidence in the multilateral trading system. We call for an end to politicizing economic and trade issues, to fragmenting the global market, and to reckless decisions to wage trade and tariff wars.

    Today, international cooperation on development is losing steam, and the North-South gap is widening. We should put development back at the center of international agenda, mobilize global resources for development, and foster an equal and balanced global development partnership. China has been advancing high-quality Belt and Road cooperation with partner countries, benefiting over three-fourths of all countries in the world. We have implemented the 10 partnership actions for modernization with African countries, carried out five programs with Latin American and Caribbean countries, developed five cooperation frameworks with Arab states, and built seven cooperation platforms tailored to Pacific Island countries, bringing about shared progress on our paths toward modernization. China will open its door ever wider. We will fully deliver on the zero-tariff treatment for 100 percent tariff lines given to least developed countries having diplomatic relations with China and African countries, so as to share development opportunities with more countries and peoples.

    Third, we should stand together to tackle pressing challenges and shore up the weak links in global governance. This year marks the 10th anniversary of the Paris Agreement. Climate change has become a pressing challenge. On tackling climate change, no country should lag behind, and none should shirk its responsibility. Developed countries must earnestly fulfill their emission reduction commitments, and provide financial and technological support to developing countries. China stands ready to play an important role, honor its words with concrete actions and strive to do its utmost within its capability. Recently, President Xi has announced China’s new Nationally Determined Contributions, which reflects China’s uttermost efforts based on the requirements of the Paris Agreement. We are ready to work more closely with the international community on green technologies and industries and stay on the right track toward green transition.

    Science and technology is advancing at an unprecedented pace, and global governance needs to keep up with the times. Artificial intelligence should benefit all humanity; it should neither be monopolized by a few countries nor be maliciously abused. China supports the U.N., as the main channel in global AI governance, in guiding countries to strengthen the alignment of AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards, so as to form a governance framework and standards with broad consensus. China is actively implementing the Global AI Governance Initiative, and has initiated the World AI Cooperation Organization (WAICO), to advance AI for good and for all and support capacity building in Global South countries. We welcome the active participation of all countries in these efforts.

    Building a world of universal and common security is an inherent responsibility of the international community. While we welcome the first-phase agreement on the Gaza conflict, and the humanitarian disaster has finally been eased, peace there remains very fragile. China calls for a genuine, comprehensive and lasting ceasefire, and the implementation of “the Palestinians governing Palestine” principle as well as the two-State solution for the purpose of lasting peace and stability in the Middle East. Meanwhile, the Ukraine crisis continues to persist. China holds an objective and just position, actively promotes peace talks, and stands ready to work with the international community to continue the efforts for peace.

    Fourth, we should actively respond to the aspirations of the Global South and improve the global governance architecture. The Global South is rising as a whole. Making sure that developing countries equally take part in major global governance decision-making is key to just and effective governance. We believe that when making international rules, the voice of the Global South must be heard thoroughly, their presence expanded, and their legitimate rights and interests protected.

    The reform process of the international financial system gravely lags behind, failing to reflect major shifts in the world economic landscape. We support advancing the realignment of IMF quota shares and shareholding review at the World Bank according to the agreed timeframe and roadmap, so as to promptly address the democratic deficit in global economic and financial governance. We support the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the New Development Bank in playing a greater role as useful complements to existing financial institutions, jointly contributing to global financial stability.

    In the face of major crises and conflicts, the U.N. Security Council has not been able to effectively respond to the expectations of the international community. As a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council, China firmly supports the reform of the Council. Upholding the right direction of this reform means to increase the representation and voice of developing countries. The pressing task is to make special arrangements to meet Africa’s aspiration as a priority.

    China believes that the Global South not only has the will and the right but also the capacity to be a pivotal force in global governance reform. Looking forward, global governance will enter the “Global South Time.” South Africa, Brazil and Qatar will host respectively the G20 Summit, the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP30), and the World Summit for Social Development. China will render full support to Global South countries in hosting these meetings, advancing the collective contributions of the Global South to global governance.

    Fifth, we should fully leverage the roles of diverse stakeholders and pool strength for global governance. Regional cooperation mechanisms and specialized platforms are flourishing as a vital new force in global governance. China will soon assume the rotating presidency of APEC 2026. We look forward to working with all sides to advance the building of an Asia-Pacific community and a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, paving the way for greater development in the region. The BRICS cooperation mechanism, with its growing representation, has become the most important platform for solidarity and cooperation of emerging markets and developing countries. China firmly supports the high-quality development of greater BRICS cooperation, with fairness, justice, openness and inclusiveness as its guiding principles in advancing global governance reform. Embracing the Shanghai Spirit, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) is increasingly becoming a strong driving force in global governance development and reform. China supports the SCO in expanding cooperation with the U.N. and other multilateral mechanisms to jointly improve global and regional governance.

    A few days ago, the International Organization for Mediation (IOMed) was inaugurated in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China. It is the world’s first intergovernmental legal organization dedicated to resolving international disputes through mediation, and represents a new type of global public good provided by China together with the founding members. We welcome more countries to join the IOMed and seek to resolve differences, promote reconciliation and safeguard peace on this platform.

    Friends,

    The just-concluded Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th CPC Central Committee proposed recommendations for China’s 15th Five-Year Plan. It charts a grand blueprint for China’s economic and social development in the next five years, as well as a promising vision for win-win cooperation between China and the rest of the world. It was stressed at the session that China should promote high-standard opening up, create new horizons for mutually beneficial cooperation, and secure further progress in building a community with a shared future for humanity. A China steadily advancing modernization will undoubtedly create vast opportunities for the common development of the world. A China dedicated to the noble cause of peace and development will demonstrate even greater responsibility in advancing human progress. We stand ready to work with the international community, fully deliver the Global Governance Initiative, build a more just and equitable global governance system, and jointly usher in a brighter tomorrow for humanity.

    Thank you.

  • Calls for Reform Dominate Global Governance Initiative Seminar in Abuja

    Calls for Reform Dominate Global Governance Initiative Seminar in Abuja

    Nigerian and Chinese officials, scholars, and policymakers have called for bold reforms of the international system and stronger South–South cooperation under the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), a new framework launched by Chinese President Xi Jinping to promote fairness, inclusivity, and practical action.

    The call was made at a one-day seminar on “Opportunities for China–Nigeria Cooperation under GGI” held at the China General Chamber of Commerce in Abuja on Thursday.

    Jointly organized by the Centre for Contemporary China–Africa Research (CCCAR) and the Centre for China Studies (CCS), the event brought together diplomats, academics, policymakers, students and journalists to discuss how both countries can harness the initiative to address pressing global challenges.

    In her remarks, Dong Hairong, Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Nigeria, described GGI as “another public good that China has provided to the world,” alongside the Global Development, Global Security, and Global Civilization Initiatives.

    She stressed that GGI rests on five key principles: sovereign equality, rule of law, multilateralism, a people-centered approach, and action-oriented cooperation.

    “The world is far from peaceful and stable. We witness geopolitical tensions, economic uncertainties, regional conflicts, and public health crises. It is high time to address the problems in the global governance system,” Ms Dong said.

    She added that China is ready to work with Nigeria and Africa to push for UN Security Council reform, fairer international financial systems, and cooperation in areas such as AI, cyberspace, climate change, trade, and outer space.

    Prof. Sheriff Ghali Ibrahim, Director of CCCAR, argued that reform of global institutions is urgent. He called for permanent African seats at the UN Security Council, fairer international financial systems, and a stronger voice for developing nations in the G20 and IMF.

    He noted that Nigeria has consistently championed these reforms, including at the 2024 UN General Assembly where it demanded financial inclusivity, debt relief, and collective action against global challenges.

    “Nigeria and Africa must reposition themselves to better fit into global governance by fighting corruption, embracing democracy, and adopting a people-centered approach,” he said.

    Also speaking, Prof. Udenta O. Udenta, Director General, African Writers Institute, described GGI as “disruptive, transformative, and counter-hegemonic.

    He argued that the Western-dominated “rules-based order” imposed after World War II entrenched U.S. hegemony and marginalized the Global South. GGI, he said, provides a coherent framework linking BRICS, the Belt and Road Initiative, and the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) into a platform for an inclusive and equitable world order.

    “A multipolar world under the guidance of GGI will emerge on the carcass of the existing Western-dominated order. China and Africa can spearhead this transformation through deeper South–South cooperation, stronger BRICS, and expanded Belt and Road partnerships,” Prof. Udenta said.

    Looking ahead, Dr. Muhammad H. Sani, lecturer at Baze University, said Nigeria is at a “strategic crossroads” and could become a global player by 2030 if it embraces GGI principles.

    He pointed to Nigeria’s BRICS membership, Africa’s largest economy and population, natural resources, and cultural influence as tools to amplify its global role. He projected Nigeria as a diplomatic leader, norm-setter in AI and climate governance, and a bridge between North and South.*

    Dr. Sani recommended flagship projects such as a “Nigeria Green Grid Project” to advance renewable energy and an AI and Digital Policy Hub by 2030.

    “By embracing GGI’s principles today, Nigeria can by 2030 emerge as a diplomatic leader, standard-setter, and hub of innovation,” he said.

    The seminar concluded with a consensus that the Global Governance Initiative provides a historic opportunity for Nigeria, Africa, and China to reshape the international order, amplify the voice of the Global South, and promote a fairer and more inclusive system for humanity.

  • Understanding President Xi’s Global Governance Initiative and its Impact on Africa and Nigeria

    Understanding President Xi’s Global Governance Initiative and its Impact on Africa and Nigeria

    An analysis by – Lawal Sale

    The occasion was the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit Plus in Tianjin, presided over by President Xi Jinping. Over the meeting, President Xi spiritedly delivered a very important historic statement to the audience comprising leaders of countries of about half of the world’s population. The title of President Xi’s statement was “Pooling the strength of the Shanghai Cooperation to improve Global Governance”.

    The statement came two days before China’s 80th commemoration of victory against Japanese aggression during World War II and the 80th anniversary of the founding of the United Nations. In a bold move, President Xi Jinping unveiled a sweeping proposal for a new global order themed “Global Governance Initiative (GGI), positioning it as a blueprint for fairness and more inclusive international cooperation where all nations and people will be equal.

    According to President Xi, the proposed Global Governance Initiative was to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and work together for a community with a shared future for humanity.

    President Xi also called on nations to embrace multipolarity and reject hegemonism. He maintained that China is ready, together with all parties to uphold courageously the great principle and the common good of the world, promote a correct historical perspective on World War II, resolutely safeguard the fruits of their victory in the war, and deliver more benefits to the entire humanity through the reform of the global governance system and the building of a community with a shared future for humanity.

    There is no doubt that the global stage is experiencing uncertainties and turbulence, the UN and multilateralism as its principles are being challenged, and many things are in deficit in the global governance system and continue to grow. Leaders at the SCO summit noted that sustainable development faces challenges due to the threat of unilateralism and disregard for the UN international norms.

    GGI and its Five Core Concepts:

    The five core concepts are:

    First: Adhering to sovereign equality, where all countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, shall have the right to make decisions in, and benefit from global governance as equals.

    Second: Staying committed to the international rule of law, where there shall be no double standards, and the self-defined rules of a few nations must not be imposed upon others.

    Third: Staying committed to multilateralism. This is the basic pathway of a global governance where multilateralism is the core concept of the existing international system and international order.

    Fourth: Adhering to a people-centred approach. This is essentially to ensure that people of all nations jointly participate in global governance and share its outcomes.

    Fifth and the last: This concept of GGI is about focusing on taking real action/results – this is an important concept of adopting a systematic and holistic approach, coordinating global actions, fully mobilising various resources, strive for more visible outcomes, and enhancing practical cooperation to prevent the governance system from lagging or being fragmented.

    GGI as an International System for Inclusiveness:

    Adding voice to President Xi’s GGI concepts, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi noted that the GGI came at the right time as the world is fraught with challenges, including frequent regional unrest, slowed economic growth and the rise of anti-globalism.

    He emphasised that the spirit of the initiative is in line with the purposes and principles of the UN charter, maintaining that GGI was aimed at firmly supporting the UN’s central role in international affairs, and to encourage countries to participate in the reform of the global governance system by relying on multilateral mechanisms such as the United Nations.

    Global Affairs experts recall that before the unveiling Global Governance Initiative by President Xi during the SCO summit, he had earlier introduced other noble and important global initiatives with the aim of strengthening and improving global governance, injecting more stability and certainty into a turbulent world, Africa in particular.

    These earlier initiatives by President Xi were the Global Development Initiative (GDI), Global Security Initiative (GSI), and Global Civilisation Initiative (GCI).

    According to the Chinese Ambassador to Nigeria, Yu Dunhai, the four remarkable initiatives have their respective priorities and can be pursued simultaneously. He said, “Each initiative will be a source of positive energy for a changing and turbulent world.

    Quoting from a paper he delivered on the Initiative, Ambassador Yu noted that GGI should be regarded as the fundamental guideline to uphold the purposes and principles of the UN charter and practice the vision of global governance featuring extensive consultation and joint contributions for shared benefit, the GGI seeks to promote the building of a more just and equitable global governance system and work together for a community with a shared future for humanity, Yu said.

    The Ambassador further emphasised that the five GGI concepts are closely aligned with the inherent needs of China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation.

    Yu expatiated that Africa, comprising 54 countries and standing members of the UN, is the continent with the largest concentration of developing countries and that Africa is not only an important participant in global governance, but also a major force driving global multi-polarisation.

    Global South affairs experts unequivocally pointed out that the introduction of this ambitious initiative by President Xi Jinping will open more opportunities and strengthen institutions for African countries in areas of development finances, technology, corporate digitisation, skill training, cooperate governance, and agro-economy.

    The experts also posit that the initiative will encourage stronger representation in global affairs, in particular in South-South cooperation.

    GGI as Pathway to Africa’s Self-Driven Development:

    In relation to Africa and the impact of the GGI on the continent, experts noted that the initiative could position African countries as players in emerging global industrial nations. It is worth noting that about 53 out of 54 African countries are both FOCAC and BRI members, while South Africa, Egypt and Nigeria are BRICS+ members and partners respectively.

    In terms of economy, China, as the largest trading partner of Africa, has already invested heavily and committed to helping African countries develop infrastructure through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) platforms.

    Chinese investment and developmental projects cut across areas, including railway development, airport terminal construction, roads and bridges, seaports, renewable energy, green technology and climate-related projects. These are opportunities that could also be accessed through GGI.

    Notwithstanding, African leaders are expected to embrace the initiative, as some nations often advocate for reforms in global governance, may find GGI’s emphasis on fairness and inclusion aligned with their own demands for equity on the global stage.

    Accordingly, if carefully approached and the initiative is aligned with the continental approach, priorities such as the African Union’s Agenda 2063 could become a tool for progress.

    GGI and China-Nigeria Cooperation:

    Also, Nigeria, as Africa’s most populous country and major economy, serves as a critical growth engine on the continent and an influential representative of the Global South. The West African nation is also a key strategic partner for China in Africa. To this end, Ambassador You said it is fair to note that China-Africa and China-Nigeria cooperation not only enjoy a solid historical foundation but also correspond to the practical needs of reforming the global order.

    Succinctly, experts acknowledged that Nigeria, as an influential member of the global south, could leverage on President Xi’s GGI to improve on the already existing cooperation on trade and investment.

    Apparently, during President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s state visit and on the occasion of the FOCAC summit in Beijing, President Tinubu and his host, President Xi Jinping, jointly announced the upgrade of China-Nigeria relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership; and the two leaders were committed to building a high-level China-Nigeria community with a shared future.

    Nigeria is the largest engineering contracting partner, the second largest exporting market, the third largest trading partner and an important investment destination for China.

    It is reasonable to say that Nigeria and China relations have gone a long way and over the years, have experienced rapid growth in all sectors. The two countries, according to Ambassador Yu, are setting an exemplary model for South-South cooperation that is aligned with President Xi’s Global Governance Initiative.

    — Sale is a Global South Affairs Analyst based in Abuja. (lawalmaida1@yahoo.com)

  • Nigeria-China Relations and the Global Governance Initiative

    Nigeria-China Relations and the Global Governance Initiative

    By Charles Onunaiju

    Last July, at the 17th BRICS Leaders’ Summit in Brazil, with the theme of “Strengthening Global South Cooperation and Promoting a more Inclusive and Sustainable Global Governance”, Nigeria’s President, Ahmed Bola Tinubu called for “a financial restructuring and a re-evaluation of the global social and governance order”, and added that “Nigeria re-affirms its commitment to strategic collaboration that translates into sustainable and inclusive development for all”.

    Now, an important opportunity and strategic platform has offered itself for Nigeria to translate her resolve and “commitment to strategic collaboration” into practical action that would give effect to “sustainable and inclusive development”.

    At the recent Summit, of the 25th Heads of States Council of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) held in the Chinese city of Tianjin, Chinese President Xi Jinping proposed the Global Governance Initiative (GGI), and expressed China’s resolve to “work with all countries for a more just and equitable global governance system and advance toward a community with a shared future for humanity”. He went further to outline the essential and basic features of the proposed Global Governance Initiative to include first and foremost, sovereign equality, which recognizes the equal weight and stake of all states in the international system which must translate to inclusive decision-making and equitable participation of all State actors thereby giving effect to the democratisation of the international system.

    Additionally, the Initiative holds that the representation and voice of the developing countries should be further enhanced and this clearly aligns with Nigeria’s and Africa’s long standing demands for the reform of key international institutions to reflect the realities and especially, the coming into reckoning of Africa and other countries in the Global South to the emerging multi-polar international order.

    The Global Governance Initiative (GGI) also calls for unconditional adherence to the United Nations system as the embodiment of universally recognized expression of the law and rule-based system of international intercourse , while cautioning that “the house rules of a few countries must not be imposed on others”.

    The Global Governance Initiative (GGI) further emphasize multilateralism which shall be entrenched in the architecture of global governance system that would be characterized by “extensive consultations and joint contribution for shared benefit”, and further reaffirmed the centrality of the United Nations, whose authority and key role is irreplaceable in global governance. The proposed framework for Global governance underscored the fact that the initiative would not be just about the “games, Nations play”, but should be one that “ensure that the people of every nation are the actors in and beneficiaries of Global governance, so as to better tackle the common challenges of mankind. Only the People-centered approach to global governance can guarantee and deliver tangible results.

    The fifth leg of the proposed Initiative would focus on “taking real actions”, that produce tangible results.

    Traditional international forums are usually characterized as platforms for grandstanding and diplomatic circus- show where actors say what they did not mean and with little effects on delivering tangible outcomes. Nigeria and Africa have been on the receiving end of international grandstanding and highfalutin Western proposals that deliver little or nothing in practice.

    For example, in 2013, U.S President Obama launched Power Africa Initiative, meant to double access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa where estimated 600 million people lack access then. This year, (2025) the U.S government shut down the Power Africa Initiative for persistent failure to meet targets and lack of significant progress. A report in 2019 revealed that Power Africa Initiative overstated its achievements, with many projects and energy deals, never materializing and most of modest new connections then, coming from mere handled solar lanterns. Even, the U.S -led Build Back Better (B3W) world, a project to supposedly address and support global infrastructure deficit and rival China,s Belt and Road Initiative, fell apart before its one year anniversary for zero funding outlay.

    In the proposed Initiative on Global Governance, actions will speak louder than words. The Chinese leader said that “the Global Governance Initiative would adopt a systematic and holistic approach, coordinate global actions, fully mobilize various resources” to strive and bring about more visible and practical outcomes. The new map of global governance envisaged by the Initiative, would uphold the original commitment to peaceful co-existence, build and strengthen confidence in win-win cooperation and more crucially advance forward, in line with the trend of history and also thrive, as it keeps pace with the times.

    Nigeria-China comprehensive strategic partnership declared by the two sides during President Tinubu,s State visit to China last year would now more effectively function as an important platform to advance their shared vision of global governance reforms, whose important features have been meticulously articulated in the Global Governance Initiative (GGI).

    As it is remarkably well known, China’s Initiatives are not empty talks or political grandstanding because they are issued from an in-depth and rigorous study of the subjects in question, in all their historical dimensions and reflect the trends that shape contemporary human prospects and outlook. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), an outstanding international public goods for which over 150 countries are currently in partnership, with more than a decade of seamless operation and China,s investment of more than one trillion U.S dollars exemplifies the successful practice of “extensive consultations and joint contributions for shared benefits”.

    Nigeria and China have elaborate consultative mechanism through the institutionalized process of inter-governmental dialogue, which have enriched bilateral cooperation between the two sides and enabled misconceptions of understanding and challenges in cooperation to be solved through more cooperation and not less. In the specific instance of the proposed Global Governance Initiative (GGI), the mechanism for extensive bilateral cooperation between the two sides can be used to mutually enrich the vision of global governance reforms and methodically advance it on the global platform because it reflects the shared concerns of both sides.

    The existential framework of China and Nigeria cooperation that have withstood the test of time and remarkably and currently reached their best time in history and even more room for growth, can sustainably drive their efforts into rallying the world to the prospects and practical roadmap to realize the issues in the Global Governance Initiative.

    The Initiative resonate with Africa’s historical calls for equitable and inclusive international system that is both non-discriminatory and fully democratic. It also reflects, Africa’s concerns that the International governance system should solve real problems, and produce practical outcomes, as a meaningful response to the many challenges confronting humanity. There is a common understanding that humankind is becoming a community of shared future and the corollary to this understanding is that a global governance mechanism that would adequately respond to this challenges must be inclusive and broadly participatory and the Initiative on global governance provides an outline for such important undertakings.

    The vision of the common humanity can be more practically realized within the framework of a Global governance apparatus that reflect both the general and common will of all the peoples, whose most extant institutional representation is currently the United Nations system.

    The Global Governance Initiative (GGI) has come at a very opportune time when humanity is at a cross road and the choice it has to make is both grim and optimistic and a buff of fresh air has just emerged to compel humanity in the direction to work for not only, for self-preservation but collective security with the obvious dividends of universal peace and shared prosperity.

    Mr. Onunaiju is Research Director of Abuja based Think Tank.

  • China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI): Implications And Prospect For A New World Order

    China’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI): Implications And Prospect For A New World Order

    By Dr. Austin Maho

    A critical examination of the recently unveiled Global Governance Initiative (GGI) by Chinese President Xi Jinping is revealing and ground breaking. What stand out is evident: equality, mutuality, rule based global order, shared development and shared future for mankind. These have implications in the search for a new global governance order, Africa and Nigeria.

    Introduced at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Summit in Tianjin, China, the GGI seeks to promote a more just and equitable global governance system, addressing pressing global challenges and fostering international cooperation.

    Why is President Xi Jinping’s new Global Governance Initiative unique and what are its implications and prospects ?

    Unveiled at the recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, the GGI marks a significant shift in the global quest for a new world governance order.

    Evidently, what the Tianjin summit demonstrates is that the SCO is no longer narrowly focused on security cooperation among member states but has transitioned instead to a global organization with a mandate covering economics, poliitics, development, and governance.

    It is within this context that the Global Government Initiative, GGI, unveiled by President Xi Jinping must be understood.

    At a time when the world is witnessing unilaterism, when globalization is being replaced by parochial nationalist, political ideology and rethorics, when tariffs have become the new weapon of global dominance and subjugation driving wedges among developing powers, the SCO stood as an venue not only for multilateral agreements but also for healing divides, fostering trust and building global consensus on governance.

    The summit confirmed the SCO’s ambition to influence the shape of global governance. President Xi described the organization as a leader in promoting multipolarity and greater democracy in international relations. The Tianjin Declaration reflected this stance, laying out a shared vision of international order
    anchored in the United Nations system, adjusted to nations’ perculiarities and conditions.

    The current global order is structurally flawed and skewed in favor of the West. It reflects and promotes Western dominance rather than universally agreed norms. The Global Governance Initiative (GGI), is a counterpoise offering an alternative that is rooted in respect for sovereignty, multipolarity and a rule based global system with the United Nations at its core.

    The GGI is built on five core principles: sovereign equality, international rule of law grounded in the UN Charter, multilateralism as the basis of governance, a people-centered approach that prioritizes common development, and pragmatism focused on measurable outcomes.

    Beijing has identified the global financial system, artificial intelligence, cyberspace, climate change, international trade, and outer space as priority areas for rule-making. The GGI’s overarching goal is to create new institutions and norms that better represent the Global South, restore the UN’s centrality, and increase the effectiveness of global governance structure and mechanism.

    Through the GGI, China is laying the intellectual ground work for the enthronwment of a new world order.

    Since 2021 China has dedicated itself to providing the intellectual and philosophical foundation and push in building a new world order. We all share a common humanity irrespective of our differences. “A single flower does not make spring, while one hundred flowers in full bloom bring spring to the garden.” President Xi Jinping has quoted this old Chinese saying to express his vision on the common development of the world and to convey his appreciation of diversity and inclusiveness.

    The GGI is the latest in a series of initiatives China has advanced to promote a new global order; before now there were the: The Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and the Global Civilization Initiative. These proposals are the building blocks the philosophical and policy foundation for Xi’s broad concept of building a “community with a shared future for mankind.”

    The aim is clear: to rally international support for a new, multipolar order that eliminates Western hegemony and safeguards peaceful coexistence among peoples of the world irrespective of ethic, religious or political differences.

    Evidently, the Global Governance Initiative (GGI) is transformative and significant to the global south particularly Africa and Nigeria.

    AFRICA AND THE GGI

    With FOCAC, China has always had Africa in its radar as a friend and a partner. The GGI would further consolidate this partnership as it aims to promote reforms in the UN Security Council and international financial system, allowing African countries to have a greater voice in global governance.

    Currently, the United Nations is only “UNITED” by name but actually skewed in fabour of the West. Europe for instance in terms of landmass and population is incomparable to Africa but Europe has a total of 3 seats in the UN Security Council, with 2 being non-permanent seats and 1 permanent seat held by the United Kingdom and France, while africa has non!

    This lack of representation is unfair. Africa constitutes over a quarter of the UN membership but has no permanent seats on the Security Council, despite being the subject of roughly 70% of the Council’s deliberations. Furthermore the five permanent members hold veto power, while African countries do not, despite their significant contributions to global peacekeeping. Consequently, the Council’s composition is seen as unrepresentative of the international community, with Africa’s voice often drowned in global power play.

    This historical injustice hindged on a bygone colonial era inequalities does not reflect contemporary realities. A situation whereby some Western nations deploy the UN platform to prioritize their national interests over global peace and security, is counter productive to the UN Charter.
    Africa’s interests and that of the global south as a whole must be represented
    for global peace and sustainable development. The decades old cry for Africa to have two permanent seats with veto power would enhance its representation and influence and make the UN a truly global body that has divested itself from colonial mentality of treating Africa like a vassal.

    The GGI can become the new platform for equity, justice and fairness for Africa.

    Historically, China-Africa cooperation has a solid foundation, based on mutual trust and respect. Both have stood shoulder to shoulder to confront global challenges and promote mutual interests.

    China has always supported Africa’s development, through the instrumentality of The Forum For China Africa Cooperation, FOCAC, China is providing the technology and capital for the development of critical infrastructure in connectivity, healthcare, agricultural, green energy among others.

    At the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation summit. (FOCAC Beijing summit of 2024),
    China launched several cooperation plans with Africa, including the “Ten Cooperation Plans” and “Ten Partnership Actions for China-Africa Collaboration on Modernization”
    According to Chinese President Xi Jinping, the partnership aims to deepen China-Africa cooperation and spearhead the Global South modernization and cooperation. The initiative covers areas such as mutual learning between civilizations, trade prosperity, industrial chain cooperation, and green development, among others with massive financial support running into hundreds of billions of RMB.

    China has always being at the forefront of the campaign for a reformation of the UN
    China has demonstrated committment to working with African countries to address global challenges through dialogue and a rule based United Nations.
    Reforming and improving global governance which the GGI summit advocates cannot be achieved without an overhaul and critical reform of the UN in the promotion of a just and equitable global system that serves both the West and the South.

    NIGERIA AND THE GGI

    As the largest country in Africa in terms of population and one of the largest economies, Nigeria is a key strategic partner of China.

    Last year after the visit of Nigeria President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the 9th FOCAC in Beijing, a major outcome was the upgrade of China Nigeria relations to Comprehensive Strategic. The implication of this upgrade is massive and demonstrates the growing trust and comradeship between both countries working together to promote development and global governance reforms.

    There is no doubt that the GGI can contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth by promoting infrastructure development, healthcare, and agricultural modernization.

    Nigeria’s participation in the GGI can enhance its global influence, Nigeria has been at the forefront of Campaign for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), a camoaign anchored on its contributions to global peace and security. Nigeria’s Foreign Minister, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, has been vocal about the need for Nigeria’s inclusion in the UNSC for fair and equitable representation. The GGI can become the platform for this campaign.

    Happily, the Chairman of the Nigerian House of Representatives Committee on Nigeria–China Parliamentary Relations Hon. Jaafaru Yakubu is on page and has expressed strong support for the GGI, describing it as a “timely and visionary framework for addressing the challenges of global governance in a rapidly changing world”, noting that its goals aligns closely with Nigeria’s foreign policy priorities and its commitment to South–South cooperation.

    As Chairman of this very important Committee in the Nigeria Parliament Hon. Yakubu promised to provide legislative and institutional backing to ensure that Nigeria’s participation in the initiative results in concrete policies and programmes that deliver tangible benefits to citizens.

    According to him, the GGI, framework presents opportunities for deeper cooperation between Nigeria and China stressing that such, “collaboration would not only support Nigeria’s national development agenda but also contribute to building a more balanced and inclusive international governance system that reflects the aspirations of emerging economies”, towards a fairer and more equitable world order.

    Overall, the GGI has the potential to promote a more equitable, fair and just global governance system, with Africa and Nigeria playing a greater role in international affairs.