The unveiling of China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI) at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Plus meeting in September signals more than a diplomatic proposal; it heralds the dawn of a new world order grounded in sovereign equality, mutual respect, and genuine multilateralism.

From a Pan-African perspective, the GGI resonates profoundly with Africa's historical struggles against imperial domination, Western exploitation, and neo-colonial subjugation. It offers a framework that restores dignity to nations long silenced by the arrogance of unipolar power and reaffirms that true peace and prosperity can emerge only through respect for sovereignty and shared development.

For centuries, Africa has been treated as a theater of Western interference, first through colonial conquest, then through economic manipulation masked as "aid" and "development cooperation."

The Western-designed global order, which emerged after World War II and solidified after the collapse of the Soviet Union, institutionalized inequality between nations. The so-called "rules-based order" became a euphemism for domination by a handful of powers led by the United States that claimed the authority to dictate what democracy, freedom, and progress should mean for the rest of humanity.

The GGI, by contrast, reclaims the spirit of the United Nations Charter and the Bandung Conference of 1955, the meeting of delegates from 29 Asian and African nations to discuss peace and the role of the developing world, both emphasizing sovereignty, non-interference, and equality among nations.

The first principle of the GGI is a commitment to sovereign equality. This is not mere rhetoric; it is the foundation of a just international order. For Africa, this is revolutionary. Sovereign equality means that no African nation, regardless of its economic size or military strength, should be dictated to by external powers. It means Zimbabwe, Ghana, or Mozambique possesses the same right to shape its own destiny as any European or North American state.

The second principle, adherence to the international rule of law, directly confronts the hypocrisy of Western powers that have for decades operated above the very laws they claim to defend.

Since the disintegration of the Soviet Union in 1991, the United States and its allies have repeatedly violated international norms under the pretext of "humanitarian intervention" or "defending democracy."

From the invasion of Iraq in 2003 to the NATO-led destruction of Libya in 2011, the West has trampled on the principles of sovereignty and non-aggression enshrined in the UN Charter. For Africa, these interventions were painful reminders of how Western hubris translates into human suffering.

The China-proposed GGI's insistence that no nation, regardless of its power, should place itself above others, reasserts the moral foundation upon which genuine international cooperation must rest.

The third principle, commitment to multilateralism, is equally transformative. It signals China's disinterest in replacing Western hegemony with an Eastern one. Instead, Beijing envisions a world where decisions are made collectively and where every culture and civilization contributes to humanity's progress.

For Africa, multilateralism is not just a diplomatic preference; it is a survival imperative. The continent's experience with unilateralism through colonialism, sanctions, and coercive diplomacy has been nothing short of catastrophic. China's embrace of multilateralism aligns with Africa's own vision articulated through the African Union's Agenda 2063, which calls for "an integrated, prosperous and peaceful Africa, driven by its own citizens."

Indeed, the rise of China as a responsible global actor offers Africa a strategic partner in promoting a multipolar world where power is shared, not monopolized.

The fourth GGI principle, a people-centered approach, strikes a deep chord with Africa's humanist traditions. African societies have long placed community and human welfare at the center of governance. The African philosophy of Ubuntu, which teaches that "I am because we are," mirrors the GGI's belief that systems and markets must serve the people, not the other way around.

China's success in lifting over 800 million people out of poverty through people-centered development is a testament to what can be achieved when human well-being takes precedence over profit and power.

For Africa, where millions still suffer from poverty and underdevelopment due to centuries of exploitation and unfair trade, the Chinese model offers inspiration and practical lessons. It demonstrates that state-led planning and investment in education, health, and technology can transform societies.

Moreover, China's insistence on people-to-people exchanges echoes Africa's Pan-African ideals, the belief that dialogue, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding among peoples, not merely governments, are the key to lasting peace. As China encourages cultural diplomacy and people-to-people solidarity, Africans find a partner that recognizes their heritage, celebrates their cultures, and supports their aspirations without seeking to erase their identities.

The fifth and final principle, commitment to concrete action, distinguishes the GGI from the empty promises often made at Western-led summits. For decades, Africa has heard countless pledges of "aid," "reform," and "partnerships" that have rarely translated into real results. The GGI rejects rhetoric without follow-through. It emphasizes results-oriented governance, ensuring that words are matched with tangible outcomes.

This mirrors China's broader philosophy of pragmatism, "Seek truth from facts." China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a clear example of this ethos in action: Thousands of infrastructure projects across Asia, Africa, and Latin America have created jobs, improved connectivity, and laid the foundation for long-term prosperity.

In Africa, the BRI's transformative impact is visible from the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya to Ethiopia's industrial parks and the expansion of Zimbabwe's Hwange Thermal Power Station. These are not acts of charity but investments in shared growth. They represent what the GGI calls for: concrete action that improves people's lives while strengthening the foundation of a fairer world order.

By joining hands, Africa and China will have a historic opportunity to redefine global governance on terms that reflect fairness and justice. Together, they can lead a new coalition of nations committed to peace, sustainability, and mutual respect, a Global South alliance that places humanity, not hegemony, at the center of world affairs.

Mafa Kwanisai Mafa is a Pan-Africanist political commentator based in Gweru, Zimbabwe.