Islamabad (TDI): In a roundtable titled “Pakistan‑Africa Connectivity – Engage Africa Policy of Pakistan,” held on September 21, participants discussed expanding commercial ties, improving connectivity, and identifying opportunities for collaboration between Pakistan and African countries.
The envoys from various African states were also among the participants, in addition to officials from Pakistan.
The roundtable was organized as Islamabad is pushing for stronger economic and trade integration with African countries as part of a broader economic strategy to diversify trade and attract foreign investment.
At the event, Ambassador Hamid Asghar Khan, Additional Secretary at the Foreign Ministry of Pakistan, took note of suggestions from African envoys on closing existing gaps in trade.
He assured that Pakistan will work on all necessary measures to deepen bilateral ties under its “Engage Africa” policy.
“Africa is the continent of today with a population of 1.6 billion and 54 countries,” he said. “Pakistani trade with Africa has potential of much more than USD5.4 billion per annum only.”
The African envoys briefed on the current status of cooperation between Pakistan and their respective countries.
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Senator Mushahid Hussain Syed, President of the Pakistan Africa Institute for Development Research (PAIDAR), was also among the key speakers.
Over the past few months, Pakistan has slowly but consistently maintained an outreach with African countries.
It will hold a single‑country exhibition in Addis Ababa on October 16‑18, in cooperation with its embassy in Ethiopia and TDAP (Trade Development Authority of Pakistan). Over 100 Pakistani exhibitors are expected to join this event.
In addition, Pakistan’s Maritime Affairs Minister, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, proposed a multi‑tier logistics corridor linking China to Africa through Pakistan’s southwestern port of Gwadar, some time ago.
This proposals means that Pakistan looks to integrate Africa into its larger economic policy. This is also reciprocated by African countries. For example, in an intra-African Political Parties Summit last month in Ghana, Senator Mushahid was invited as one among the first few Asians.
Pakistan’s trade with Africa is worth about US$5.4 billion annually, but officials believe the potential is far greater.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister, Shehbaz Sharif, has given specific directives to his cabinet regarding intensifying engagement with Africa in trade and investment.
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