The G20 Summit to be held in China next month is expected to discuss a variety of issues, but questions are already being asked if it will be of any useful significance to Africa.

Well, the grouping, made up of both developed and emerging economies, has in the past been criticised for its lethargic approach on the case of developing countries.

Many Africans are hoping that for the first time, the G20 can become more relevant to them by also focusing on issues dealing with the skewed development trajectory of the world.

This hope is pinned on China’s stance that it will push the G20 members at the meeting in Hangzhou City, the capital of Zhejiang province, to consider supporting the industrialisation of Africa.

This has given hope to Africans that China’s stance will have takers among the G20 members leaders.

Nigeria's Abuja-Kaduna Railway, constructed by China Civil and Engineering Company (CCECC), started its trial operation on June 17, 2016. This is the first railway in Africa that has been built based on Chinese technical standards. [Photo: CRIENGLISH.com]

Chinese Foreign Minister Mr Wang Yi recently announced that his country will alert the developed countries at the G20 Summit of Africa’s urgent needs.

China, although much industrialised and the second biggest economy in the world, is still classified as a developing country because of its low GDP per capita, as some of its parts are still relatively poor.

Stating the expected discussions at the G20 Summit to Chinese and African journalists recently, Minister Wang listed his eighth point as dedicated to Africa.

 “Africa and the least developed countries are in urgent need of speeding up the process of industrialisation and improving self-development capability,” he said.

“China will promote G20 member states to conduct cooperation and help these countries to accelerate industrialisation and through capacity building, increasing investment, improving infrastructure and other measures, so as to achieve their poverty alleviation and sustainable development goals.”