India will host the Fourth India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) on 31 May 2026 in New Delhi in collaboration with African Union Commission. The summit will bring together leaders from across Africa, representatives of regional organisations, and policymakers to strengthen the India–Africa partnership and chart a future roadmap for cooperation across multiple sectors.
India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), 2026
Theme:
- The summit will be held under theme “IA SPIRIT: India Africa Strategic Partnership for Innovation, Resilience, and Inclusive Transformation”, reflecting the evolving and comprehensive nature of bilateral relations.
Objective:
- The summit aims to further deepen ties based on mutual respect, equality, solidarity, and shared prosperity, while also showcasing India’s good governance and inclusive development models.
Strategic Importance of IAFS-IV
The summit is positioned as a landmark engagement to:
- Strengthen India–Africa ties under the South-South cooperation framework
- Expand collaboration across sectors such as innovation, resilience, and development
- Build upon earlier achievements, including expansion of development assistance and capacity-building initiatives
- It also gains importance in the context of global supply chain disruptions, highlighting Africa’s role as a reliable resource and strategic partner.
About India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS)
The India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is official institutional platform for India–Africa relations, serving as a high-level consultative mechanism between the Government of India and member states of the African Union.
Establishment and Objective
- First held in 2008 (New Delhi)
- Aims to deepen cooperation across economic, political, and developmental domains
- Promotes South-South cooperation, moving beyond traditional aid-based relationships
Evolution of India–Africa Engagement
- IAFS 2008 (New Delhi): Focused on global issues like rising food and oil prices; involved 14 African countries
- IAFS 2011 (Addis Ababa): Expanded participation and focused on infrastructure development
- IAFS 2015 (New Delhi): Largest summit with participation from all 54 African nations, marking a major diplomatic outreach
Core Functions of IAFS
The platform facilitates:
- Developmental Cooperation: Projects in agriculture, ICT, industry, and human resource development (e.g., IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar)
- Diplomatic Expansion: India has opened 16 new missions in Africa since 2018, taking the total to 45
- Security and Defence Cooperation: Dialogue on maritime security and peace
- Policy Coordination: Alignment on global issues such as trade protectionism and governance
- Resource and Supply Chain Management: Ensuring stable supply of critical resources
Changing Nature of Partnership
African Union is a continental body comprising 55 African countries, promoting unity and development. Africa is critical for energy resources, minerals, and strategic trade routes. India’s Africa policy is guided by South-South Cooperation principles
The India–Africa partnership is undergoing a structural shift:
- From donor–recipient relationship: to partner–investor model
- Increasing emphasis on Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and industrial collaboration
- Greater role for Indian private sector and big businesses in Africa