African heads of state have begun arriving in Beijing for the 2024 Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) scheduled to take place from September 4 to 8.
The inaugural China-Africa Summit took place in 2000, aimed at strengthening friendship and promoting cooperation between Africa’s 54 member states and China.
This year marks the 9th FOCAC summit and it is being held under the theme “Joining Hands to Advance Modernization and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future”.
African leader’s departure and arrival for the FOCAC summit.
| Country | Head of State | Departure date for FOCAC | Arrival date in China for FOCAC |
| Zimbabwe | President Emmerson Mnangagwa | 28/08/2024 | 29/08/2024 |
| Zambia | President Hakainde Hichilema | 30/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 |
| South Africa | President Cyril Ramaphosa | 01/09/2024 | 02/09/2024 |
| Guinea | President Mamady Doumbouya | 30/08/2024 | |
| Namibia | President Nangolo Mbumba | 30/08/2024 | |
| Zambia | President Hakainde Hichilema | 30/08/2024 | 31/08/2024 |
| Eritrea | President Isaias Afwerki | 31/08/2024 | |
| Mali | President Assimi Goita | 31/08/2024 | 1/09/2024 |
| Gabon | President Brice Nguema | 31/08/2024 | 1/09/2024 |
| Malawi | President Lazarus Chakwera | 01/09/2024 | 2/9/2024 |
| Botswana | President Mokgweetsi Masisi | 2/9/2024 | |
| Kenya | President William Ruto | 2/9/2024 | |
| Sierra Leone | President Julius Maada Bio | 2/9/2024 | |
| Senegal | President Bassirou Diomaye | 2/9/2024 |
Zimbabwe at the FOCAC Summit
Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa left Harare on August 28 and arrived in China on August 29 for the FOCAC Summit accompanied by his son Collins and Finance Minister Mthuli Ncube.
On August 30 President Mnangagwa toured the BYD Auto company and Huawei Technologies HQ in Shenzhen on August 30.
The next day Mnangagwa was in Changsha City hosted by Jiang Difei the Vice Governor of the Hunan Province where he toured the Mao Zedong Square and the Sany Group factory.
Zambia at the FOCAC Summit
In a press statement by Zambia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mulambo Haimbe, it was highlighted that President Hkainde Hichilema would leave for the FOCAC Summit on August 30.
President Hakainde is expected to tour the China Railway Construction Corporation and the China-Non-Ferrour Metals Corporation on September 3 before holding bilateral meetings with China’s President Xi Jinping on September 4.
Mali at the FOCAC Summit
Mali’s President Assimi Goita left Bamako to attend the 9th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing on August 31.
Gabon at the FOCAC Summit
Gabon President Brice Oligui Nguema left Libreville on August 31 and arrived in Beijing on September 1 for the 9th Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in China.
South Africa at the FOCAC Summit
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa arrived at Beijing Capital Airport in China on September 2 and met with Chinese President Xi Jinping later that day.
