LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1015
ANSWERED ON - 25/07/2025
INDIA-AFRICA DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION
1015. SMT. SANGEETA KUMARI SINGH DEO
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government has undertaken any recent review of India’s development assistance and capacity-building initiatives in African partner countries under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) and Lines of Credit programmes;
(b) if so, the extent to which these programmes have been implemented in Ghana and other West African nations during the last three years;
(c) whether the Ministry has mapped higher education, skills or traditional knowledge institutions in Eastern India, including Odisha, that could partner in delivering India’s Africa-focused development training, if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Ministry proposes to integrate institutions from Odisha into new India–Africa initiatives announced during recent high-level visits, particularly in the areas of cultural diplomacy and human resource development, if so, the details thereof?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)
(a) to (d): India’s development partnership is based on a consultative model and is focused on addressing the priorities and needs of the partner countries. India has been sharing its development experiences, resources, expertise and skill-sets with Africa and other partner countries in the Global South over the years.
Government of India has extended more than 190 Lines of Credit through a lending bank aggregating around USD 12 billion to over 40 partner countries in Africa. So far, more than 200 projects have been completed, which have helped create a multiplier effect on the social and economic infrastructure in partner African countries. This has enabled them to move ahead on their own development trajectory.
Government has made efforts to fast-track project delivery, as well as respond to the developmental training needs of African countries. In all, India has offered close to 1260 slots each year under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) to West African countries, including Ghana. So far, more than 6200 professionals from West African countries have been trained under the ITEC programme.
The ITEC training programmes are conducted at various institutes spread all across India, including the eastern region. These training institutes are selected based on their area of expertise to suit the training requirements of partner countries.