India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) Context : The fourth edition of the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) is set to be held in India in late May 2026. About the India–Africa Forum Summit (IAFS) The IAFS is the official institutional platform for India-Africa relations. It serves as a high-level consultative mechanism between the Government of India and the member states of the African Union (AU) to promote South-South cooperation. It was first held in New Delhi in 2008, followed by summits in Addis Ababa in 2011 and New Delhi in 2015. India is set to host the 4th summit in 2026, after a gap of over a decade. The summit aims to deepen South-South cooperation and expand engagement beyond trade and Lines of Credit toward Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and industrial partnerships. It focuses on sectors such as health, education, human resource development, agriculture, ICT, and infrastructure. It supports initiatives like the IIT Madras campus in Zanzibar for capacity building. India is strengthening diplomatic ties by expanding its presence to 45 missions across Africa. It promotes cooperation in security, defense, and maritime stability. It helps align the positions of India and African nations on global issues such as trade, governance, and development. It plays a key role in ensuring resource security and stable supply chains during global disruptions. It reflects a shift from a donor-recipient model to a partnership-based, investment-driven relationship. The 2026 summit gains significant importance amid global supply chain uncertainties, highlighting Africa’s strategic significance. Current Facts SMILE Scheme SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme was launched in 2022. It is implemented by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is India’s first integrated national framework that provides support ranging from identifying marginalized people to providing rehabilitation and building livelihoods. It includes services such as…
