India offers cars, dairy exports to Africa in barter push

At the CII India–Africa Business Conclave, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal proposed a strategic trade exchange: India could supply motor vehicles and high-quality milk products to African nations, in return importing diamonds, gold, petroleum, agricultural produce, pulses, and lentils. He highlighted this as a means to bolster India–Africa trade—currently at $82 billion—with ambitions to double it to $164 billion by 2030. Goyal emphasized the opportunity to support African economies impacted by disruptions from third-country actions, positioning India as a partner for mutually beneficial trade expansion.

Industry Insight:
This proposal marks a pragmatic pivot toward barter-style trade to amplify India–Africa economic engagement. By exporting dairy and auto products—sectors where India holds a competitive edge—while importing high-value commodities from Africa, India can diversify its supply chains and reduce reliance on volatile global markets. For the dairy industry, this opens new global avenues for volume growth and enhances export resilience. Simultaneously, African partners gain access to affordable essential goods, reinforcing economic ties. Such complementary collaboration could set a precedent for value-driven South–South cooperation, shifting away from traditional aid-based models toward equitable industrial cooperation.

Source : Dairynews7x7 Aug 31st 2025