United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
Triangular cooperation and what it means for Africa’s development future
12th September marks the United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation. It is widely known and recognised that development in the 21st century is no longer a one-way street. The old model, where wealthier nations provided aid and developing countries received, has been steadily replaced by new forms of partnership. This year’s theme of “South-South and Triangular Cooperation and Financing for Food Security and Nutrition”. In so doing, eliminating hunger, food insecurity and building robust food systems at a fundamental level ensures that other aspects of triangular cooperation can be unlocked.
At its core, the triangular cooperation brings together three partners: a traditional donor (a high-income country or multilateral organisation that often provides financing and technical support), a Southern partner an emerging economy with relevant knowledge or experience), and a beneficiary country (usually another developing nation that adapts and applies the lessons). This model combines the resources of the North with the practical expertise of the South, creating solutions that are both affordable and relevant.
For African countries, this approach is both a technical arrangement and a potential shift toward greater agency, innovation, and sustainability in shaping their own development paths.
Why triangular cooperation matters
For African governments, this model provides access to both financing and practical know-how. Traditional donors, such as Japan or Germany, often bring strong institutional frameworks and extensive global networks. At the same time, Southern partners such as Brazil, India, or Morocco contribute experiences rooted in realities closer to those of African countries. For instance, Brazil’s success with community-based health programmes has influenced health service delivery in Mozambique, supported by financial and technical backing from traditional partners.
This dual benefit helps governments craft policies that are not only well-funded but also tailored to local realities.
Triangular cooperation can result in cost-effective solutions. Many Southern partners offer innovations developed under resource-constrained conditions, such as India’s low-cost telemedicine systems or Brazil’s tropical agriculture techniques. When combined with financing and technology transfer from traditional donors, African countries gain access to affordable and scalable solutions that might otherwise remain out of reach.
Peer-to-peer learning is another strength. African countries often find it easier to adopt solutions from other nations with similar socioeconomic or cultural contexts. For example, agricultural practices developed in Latin America or Asia are usually more adaptable than those imported wholesale from Europe or North America. This sense of familiarity improves adoption and ownership at the community level.
On a global level, the model presents a more balanced perspective on development. Instead of being passive recipients of aid, African countries will increasingly play an active role as co-creators of knowledge and innovation. This aligns with the growing emphasis on South-South learning and Africa’s push for stronger representation in global governance.
What it means for Africa’s future
The triangular cooperation model allows African countries to broaden their partnerships beyond the traditional donor-recipient model. This flexibility enables governments and institutions to work with multiple actors, each bringing unique strengths to the table. By working with both traditional donors and Southern partners, African institutions can strengthen local expertise while ensuring that development projects remain aligned with national strategies. Over time, this builds greater independence from external actors.
Affordable innovations that have already been tested in other Southern contexts, such as off-grid solar solutions, low-cost health diagnostics, or microfinance models, can be more easily scaled across African countries. This provides a faster pathway to solving persistent challenges in health, education, and energy access.
Furthermore, because the model involves multiple partners, risks are shared, and resources are diversified. This makes outcomes more resilient to global shocks, such as pandemics, economic crises, or climate-related disruptions.
The potential of triangular cooperation in Africa is significant, but it is not automatic. Success will depend on the continent’s ability to build strong institutions that can manage complex partnerships, ensure equitable participation and benefit-sharing among all partners, and measure results transparently, to prove value and build trust. If African countries can strengthen these foundations, this tool could become a key driver not only in meeting the Sustainable Development Goals but also in advancing regional integration and long-term self-reliance.
