More than just being a trusted bridge between policymakers in China and Africa. positioning Africa’s voice to take centre-stage in Africa–China cooperation has been the major achievement of the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA), an independent African-led institution dedicated to shaping the partnership across continents. In this interview in Accra, Ghana, ACCPA’s Founder/Executive Director, Paul Frimpong tells Martin-Luther C. King that, going forward, the centre will focus on food security, natural resources, technology, energy, and health in a deliberate sequencing to ensure depth, impact, and sustainability.
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In an era of shifting geopolitics, how does ACCPA ensure that Africa-China cooperation remains equitable, transparent, and sustainable for both sides?
ACCPA promotes equity and transparency by grounding all its work in independent research, data-driven analysis, and open dialogue. We engage both African and Chinese stakeholders on the basis of mutual accountability and shared development goals, rather than one-sided narratives.
Through policy briefs, public forums, and strategic partnerships, we highlight the importance of responsible investment, climate-conscious development, and respect for local priorities. Our role is to ensure Africa–China cooperation evolves as a balanced, evidence-based partnership that advances sustainability and benefits both sides over the long term.
With teams across several African countries, as well as in China and the United Kingdom, how does ACCPA coordinate its diverse network to maintain a unified research and policy agenda?
ACCPA maintains a unified agenda through a central coordination model led from our Accra headquarters, guided by a clear five-year strategic framework that outlines our thematic priorities and research standards.
Our teams across Africa, China, and the UK collaborate through virtual working groups, joint research projects, and regular policy dialogues, ensuring alignment and shared learning.
We also emphasise inclusive coordination, where local teams provide contextual insights that strengthen our continental perspective. This structure allows ACCPA to stay cohesive, agile, and consistent in advancing Africa’s voice within Africa–China cooperation.
Among your thematic priorities, namely, climate, food security, natural resources, youth and governance, technology, energy, and health, which has proven most challenging to address, and why?
At ACCPA, we see our thematic pillars as interconnected rather than competing priorities. Naturally, we began with climate, youth, and governance, given their urgency and the demand from policymakers and partners for deeper engagement in these areas. These themes have allowed us to shape high-level dialogues, policy frameworks, and capacity-building initiatives with tangible outcomes.
The other areas — such as food security, natural resources, technology, energy, and health — are equally critical, but we are approaching them through a phased strategy. It is not so much that they present insurmountable challenges, but rather that we are deliberate in sequencing our focus to ensure depth, impact, and sustainability.
Going forward, we see enormous opportunity to expand our research and advisory work in these additional areas, building on the foundation we have already established.
Could you share specific examples where ACCPA’s policy briefs or expert analyses have directly influenced government policy or shaped Africa-China cooperation strategies?
A key example is our work under the Sino–African Green Finance Alliance (SAGFA). In Ghana, ACCPA’s policy briefs on green finance informed national discussions on climate funding and guided engagement between the Ministry of Finance, EPA, and Chinese partners.
In Ethiopia, our expert analyses helped shape dialogues on integrating sustainability principles into Chinese-funded infrastructure projects, supporting the country’s climate adaptation agenda.
Through SAGFA and similar initiatives, ACCPA has moved from research to real policy impact—bridging governments, investors, and institutions to promote climate-resilient, equitable Africa–China cooperation.
How does ACCPA balance the often competing interests of African governments, Chinese stakeholders, and local communities in your dialogue platforms?
ACCPA’s role is to serve as a neutral convening platform where all parties can engage constructively and transparently. We achieve balance by grounding every dialogue in evidence-based research and shared development priorities, rather than political or commercial interests.
Our approach emphasizes mutual understanding and inclusivity—ensuring that African governments articulate policy needs, Chinese stakeholders share technical and financial perspectives, and local communities highlight social and environmental realities.
What would you say are ACCPA’s most significant achievements to date in advancing Africa’s voice in Africa-China relations?
ACCPA’s greatest achievement has been positioning Africa’s voice at the center of Africa–China cooperation through research, dialogue, and policy engagement. We have become a trusted bridge between policymakers, diplomats, and experts on both sides.
Notably, our Sino–African Green Finance Alliance (SAGFA) has shaped national and regional conversations on climate cooperation, producing actionable policy recommendations adopted in Ghana and Ethiopia. We also hosted the Ghana–China Climate Summit 2025, which brought together senior government officials, Chinese diplomats, and development partners to chart a joint path toward green and sustainable growth.
Beyond climate, ACCPA has signed strategic MoUs with institutions such as the East Asian Institute at the National University of Singapore, Institute of Chinese Law, ISPS South Sudan and the Africa Policy Institute (Kenya) etc.
What structural, political, or financial obstacles does ACCPA face in fulfilling its mandate, and how do you navigate these hurdles?
Like many independent policy institutions, ACCPA faces challenges related to sustainable funding, limited research infrastructure, and the need to navigate political sensitivities inherent in Africa–China relations.
We address these by maintaining institutional independence, building strategic partnerships with credible organizations across Africa, China, and beyond, and diversifying our funding sources through grants, commissioned studies, and training programmes.
Given Africa’s youthful population, how is ACCPA ensuring that young people are not only included but also empowered in Africa-China policy conversations?
Youth empowerment is central to ACCPA’s mission. We ensure young Africans are not just participants but active contributors in shaping Africa–China relations. Through initiatives like the Ghana–China Media Fellowship and the upcoming Sino–African Green Finance Fellowship, we equip young professionals with knowledge, networks, and practical exposure to policy and international cooperation.
We also integrate youth voices into our policy dialogues, research projects, and mentorship programs, ensuring intergenerational perspectives in every conversation. By doing so, ACCPA is building a new generation of African thinkers and leaders who can confidently engage China and the world on equal terms.
What was the inspiration behind establishing the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, and how has its vision evolved since its inception?
The idea for ACCPA was inspired by the growing importance of Africa–China relations and the absence of an African-led institution dedicated to shaping this partnership through research, policy dialogue, and advisory work. We wanted to ensure Africa’s perspectives drive the agenda—not just react to it.
Since inception, our vision has evolved from focusing on trade and diplomacy to addressing emerging issues like climate change, green finance, digital transformation, and governance.
Today, ACCPA serves as a trusted bridge—connecting governments, businesses, and academia to promote cooperation that is evidence-based, inclusive, and aligned with Africa’s long-term development priorities.
Looking ahead, what is ACCPA’s five- to ten-year roadmap, and how do you envision scaling your work to have an even greater continental and global impact?
Over the next decade, ACCPA aims to cement its role as Africa’s leading voice on Africa–China and South–South cooperation. Our roadmap focuses on expanding regional offices across Africa, deepening our work on climate, green industrialization, and digital transformation, and building strong alliances with global think tanks and development partners.
Through these initiatives, ACCPA seeks to move from shaping national conversations to influencing continental and global policy agendas, ensuring Africa’s perspectives remain central in global cooperation frameworks.
