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India may not sign FTAs with Africa, to pursue deeper ties with customs unions, officials say
Officials say India will not pursue continental free trade agreements with Africa for now and will instead deepen ties with regional customs unions such as SACU. Preparations for the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV), scheduled for May 28-31, 2026, are underway, with emphasis on agriculture, energy, minerals, and security.
Why It Matters
The stance signals a strategic shift from broad continental trade deals to bloc-level engagement, potentially shaping Africa-India economic diplomacy ahead of IAFS-IV.
Timeline
4 Events
IAFS-IV concludes with expectations of concrete outcomes
May 31, 2026
The summit is expected to yield concrete outcomes in business initiatives and may produce a joint statement or vision statement.
IAFS-IV to begin with business, culture, security and defence segments
May 28, 2026
The summit is scheduled to begin on May 28 and run through May 31, featuring segments on business, culture, security and defence; separate sessions for foreign ministers and a leaders’ summit are planned.
India rules out continental FTAs for now; deepening ties with SACU
May 9, 2026
Officials said India will not pursue signing free trade agreements with Africa 'as of now' and will prioritise commercial ties with customs unions such as the Southern African Customs Union (SACU), which includes Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa. The decision comes as preparations for the fourth India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV) proceed, the summit returning after a gap of over a decade since previous meetings in 2008, 2011 and 2015, which were disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Commerce Secretary visits Tanzania and Kenya to tie up IAFS-IV plans
April 27, 2026
Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal visited Tanzania and Kenya between April 27 and May 1, 2026 to tie up plans for the India-Africa Forum Summit (IAFS-IV).