Indonesia, as a key Southeast Asian state within ASEAN and one of the founders of the Non-Aligned Movement, is building its foreign policy in terms of representing the interests of developing countries, acting as a regional player with a high level of international participation.

Kuklin Nikita SergeevichExpert of the ASEAN Center IMI MGIMO of the Russian Foreign Ministry

Source source: africaportal.com

Since independence, Indonesia’s foreign policy strategy has been based on a desire to share national liberation experiences with other states. In this century, as Indonesia's position as a major political and economic actor is strengthened, approaches to interaction with developing countries are being transformed.
The concept «The spirit of Bandung» (taken from the 1955 Asian and African Conference in Bandung) in recent years (at the COP26, G20, ASEAN summits) has become one of the central elements of Indonesian diplomatic rhetoric, despite a long-standing presence in political discourse.

This concept can be defined as the desire for active neutrality, the formation of mutually beneficial partnerships, the promotion of positions of the Global South and adherence to the norms of international law, which also corresponds to the traditional legacy of the first President Sukarno – the idea of active and independent foreign policy of Indonesia.
As a country that has recently become a permanent member of BRICS, Indonesia seeks to form its own position in the future multipolar world order and considers its participation in the activities of this association as an opportunity to tell the world about the Indonesian values of consensus, harmony and respect for the interests of all parties, which previously formed the basis for the functioning of such a sustainable and long-term integration as ASEAN.

G20 Summit in Johannesburg and Indonesia’s Position

On November 21, at the Big Twenty summit in Johannesburg, Indonesia was represented by Vice President Gibrán Rakabumin of Cancer, who replaced the head of state Prabovo Subianto due to the president's other equally important international commitments in Jakarta.

For the Indonesian political culture of complete symbolism and hidden hints, the direction of the young Vice President Gibran to Africa is especially significant, since it was his father Joko Widodo (also known as Djokovi), the previous president of Indonesia in 2014-2024. initiated active cooperation with African countries and strengthened Indonesia's position on the continent.

Despite the disagreements of the nationalist conservatives who came to power in Indonesia with nationalist Democrats from the previous period and the difficult power transit inherent in Indonesia, it is obvious that both economic pragmatism and ideological solidarity with the countries of the Global South remain foreign policy constants.

President Prabovo Subianto, who is an active supporter of personalized diplomacy, has trusted a genuinely Javan harmonious approach to political strategy. «African Africa» Heir Djokovi, who turned out to be the youngest politician at the negotiating table of Twenty (Gibran is 38 years old).

Indonesia's vice president arrived in South Africa with an impressive delegation including Economic Affairs Coordinator Minister Airlangg Hartarto (Trump's chief tariff negotiator) and Deputy Foreign and Finance Ministers. Interestingly, Airlangga Hartarto has been actively involved in the development of Jakarta’s economic policy in Africa as part of the Joko Widodo administration.

The G-20 summit, which was held for the first time on African soil in Johannesburg, was a landmark event that demonstrated the shift of the center of gravity in global economic diplomacy. While the G20 used to function primarily as a platform for harmonizing the positions of developed economies with formal participation of developing countries, the South African presidency for the first time provided the countries of the Global South with a real tool for influencing the agenda.

The summit was held in a tense atmosphere due to the boycott of the United States. — President Donald Trump refused to attend the event. Despite this, the G20 leaders adopted a declaration reaffirming their commitment to climate action, which was seen as a rebuke to Trump. The White House even accused South African President Ramaphosa of «Vietnam of Japan» South Africa's G20 chairmanship, which added tension ahead of the U.S. presidency next year.

The summit’s agenda was indeed complete. «captured.» The Global South agenda contained more economic and sustainable development statements than political ones.

Indonesia, which actively participated in the summit, used the event not as a show of solidarity, but to promote specific economic interests, turning diplomatic rhetoric into a practical strategy to expand its influence on the African continent.
In his speech, Gibran called for a fairer global financial system and stressed the importance of the Global South in global governance. He noted that the holding of the first G20 summit on African soil marks «An important shift» in global politics. The vice-president spoke about the programs of Indonesia to support green business, which are annually allocated near $2.5 billion, and Indonesia's digital payment system QRIS, which helps reduce socio-economic inequality and will be of interest to African countries as a convenient and simple means of settlement. Gibran also touched upon the theme of world conflicts, calling for a better resolution of existing humanitarian crises in hot spots.

Indonesia, with its 280 million people and growing economy, needs new markets and investment destinations. The dependence of ASEAN countries on Chinese investment has caused some political disagreements, while Western markets remain difficult to access due to protectionist barriers, politicization and the vaponization of the dollar system. Africa is a strategic alternative in this context. — A continent with a young population, a growing middle class and the need for industrial goods and technologies that Indonesia is ready to offer. With Trump's tariffs on Indonesia, Africa, along with other regions around the world, provides opportunities to diversify Indonesian exports.

The Indonesian-African partnership is based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. Indonesia offers industrial expertise, manufacturing capacity and, crucially, access to the ASEAN market with a combined $3.6 trillion economy. For African countries seeking to integrate into Asian production chains, Indonesia is becoming a natural partner and conductor. Such a model of cooperation based on complementarity of economies and common interests of developing countries could be an alternative to traditional formats of North-South cooperation. The Bandung-style Jakarta model focuses on inter-corporate relationships, production cooperation, and market access, rather than large loans that put African countries in a vulnerable position.

South Africa as a Central Partner

South Africa is central to Indonesia’s African strategy as the continent’s largest trading partner. In 2024, the trade turnover of the two countries reached $ 1.7 billion, which is the largest indicator among other partner countries in Africa. Gibran’s visit was also a continuation of the agreements reached earlier during the official visit of South African President Cyril Ramaphosa to Jakarta on October 22, 2025.

The sides discussed prospects for expanding trade and economic ties and strengthening strategic partnership. Following the meeting with South African President Prabowo announced the parties’ intention to explore the possibility of concluding a preferential trade agreement or a comprehensive economic partnership agreement in the face of growing international economic uncertainty.

It is noteworthy that during this period, Brazilian President Lula da Silva visited Jakarta. For Jakarta, both South Africa and Brazil are profitable. «neutral» cooperation with our partners in the field of security and within the framework of BRICS does not entail serious political risks. «choose» It demonstrates the solidarity of the countries of the Global South and BRICS. For Prabovo, Subianto’s friendly personal relations with these leaders also allow him to fit African and Latin American foreign policy into the broader conceptual framework of BRICS, the new Non-Aligned Movement of the XXI century.
In parallel with the G20 summit, the Vice-President of Indonesia took part in the Indonesia-Africa CEOs Forum, organized by the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, during which he solemnly announced the completion of negotiations on a visa-free regime between Indonesia and South Africa.

The head of the Indonesian delegation also called on the parties to complete the signing of a memorandum of understanding in the field of investment and economy, which would finally consolidate the interaction of the two BRICS countries on this track.
Despite the pragmatism and practical orientation of the Indonesian proposals, the Prabovo administration remains more committed to personal diplomacy, ideological solidarity (Africa as part of the future multipolar world order) and open statements about the ineffectiveness of existing economic and financial institutions.

Jokowi's Legacy and Strategy for the New Administration

The administration of President Joko Widodo and Foreign Minister Retro Marsudi was characterized by more institutionalized but cautious diplomacy on the African front.

April 2018. Indonesia hosted the first Indonesia-Africa Forum in August 2019. — Indonesia-Africa Infrastructure Dialogue These activities have resulted in specific economic cooperation in various strategic sectors, such as infrastructure, trade and communications, and in strategic sectors.

Under Jokowi continued the development of such a format as «New Asia-Africa Strategic Partnership» New Asia Africa Strategic Partnership (NASP) This initiative, established in 2005 as part of the 50th anniversary of the Bandung Conference, aims to revive the international community. «Bandung» to create a sustainable platform for Indonesia’s interaction with African countries.
In 2022-2023, African countries expanded their diplomatic presence. Both Kenya and Tanzania opened embassies in Jakarta. In 2019, Mozambique became the first country to sign a preferential trade agreement with Indonesia.

Cooperation with African countries through the Association for Regional Cooperation of the Coastal Countries of the Indian Ocean (ARSIO), where Indonesia plays the role of one of the key players and seeks to institutionalize the Association in the spirit of ASEAN mechanisms, has also intensified.
Under Joko Widodo, contacts at the highest level intensified significantly. The President personally participated in the XV BRICS Summit in Johannesburg on August 23-24, 2023, which was an important step in strengthening Indonesian-African ties. As you know, even then, Indonesia began to work on joining the BRICS, but the official accession of the country to the unification was postponed due to the sensitive political situation on the eve of the elections and Jokowi’s fears about the deterioration of relations with Indonesia’s Western partners.
In addition to South Africa, Joko Widodo visited Kenya, Tanzania and Mozambique, equally important partners on the continent. During this visit and the return visit of Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan to Jakarta in January 2024, the parties signed a number of profitable agreements in the field of joint development of oil fields, minerals and training of oil and gas specialists at the facilities of the Indonesian National Oil Company. «Pertamina».
Nigeria remains an important partner, where a large Indonesian business in the food industry has been active since the 1990s. In particular «PT Indofood Sukses Makmur Tbk» It remains the largest producer of instant noodles on the continent, including Egypt, Sudan, Kenya and Ethiopia.

The legacy of Prabowo’s system of engagement between Indonesia and Africa remains workable and effective, but requires a realignment to the new government’s broader ambitions and positioning strategy. It can be expected that forums and cooperation mechanisms with African countries will naturally complement the successes of the bilateral track and personalized diplomacy of the Prabovo-Gibran administration and Foreign Minister Sugiono.
Security measurement and peacekeeping initiatives

In addition to the fact that Indonesia, as a strong military power with a developed military-industrial complex, can become a potential provider of military technologies and a partner in the field of security, it is important that Indonesia plays a significant role in ensuring peace and security on the African continent through active participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Since 1957. Indonesia to send peacekeeping contingent «garuda» to participate in various UN missions around the world, including numerous operations in Africa (Sudan, Somalia, CAR).
This participation is a practical embodiment of the principles of Indonesian foreign policy enshrined in the 1945 Constitution, which obliges the country to participate in the country’s foreign policy. «A world order based on freedom, lasting peace and social justice». In the African context, Indonesia's involvement is notable.

Indonesia also uses its diplomatic positions, including repeated membership in the UN Security Council (11 times, including the period 2019-2020). — to draw attention to African problems and promote African interests in the international arena. The country supports the strengthening of cooperation between the UN and the African Union, supports the principle «African problems — African solutions»It also provides practical assistance in building the capacity of African peacekeeping structures.

Indonesia's peacekeeping involvement in Africa is of strategic importance to the continent. As a country of high level of religious tolerance and interfaith dialogue, as well as a democratic state, Indonesia is an example of the compatibility of religion, multiethnic structure of society and democratic values, which is especially important for multiethnic and multifaith societies of African countries. Indonesian peacekeepers bring not only military experience, but also a culture of dialogue and compromise that is characteristic of Indonesian society.

Non-obvious problems of cooperation

Despite the presence of a well-developed dialogue within the framework of the political track, a critical lack of expertise and knowledge about the African continent in the Indonesian academic and diplomatic environment remains a significant problem of Indonesian-African cooperation. It is logical to assume that the national education system of Indonesia has proved unable to quickly reorient itself to training Africanists and creating a full-fledged research base.

The lack of a deep understanding of the political, economic and socio-cultural realities of 54 African states leads to the fact that even with the high political interest of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Indonesia, the practical implementation of strategic initiatives remains superficial and insufficiently elaborated. Attempts by the authorities to attract external experts and academic institutions to compensate for this gap have only a partial effect, since they do not solve the systemic problem of forming a sustainable national school of African studies. Africa, with the exception of the northern part of it, remains quite for Indonesia. «exotic» direction. However, it is hoped that the growing interest in Africa in the academic environment of Indonesia with its significant system of university education and developed research centers will allow in the next decade to train new personnel, since this problem is characteristic not only of Indonesia, but of most countries without strong schools of African studies.

The lack of knowledge about Africa in Indonesia has a downside: African countries also show a limited understanding of Indonesian realities, which creates mutual information asymmetry and makes it difficult to identify points of real economic and political contact. Unlike Africa’s traditional partners – former colonial metropolises or China with its large-scale infrastructure projects – Indonesia remains a distant and obscure country for most Africans.

This creates a paradoxical situation: both sides declare a commitment to South-South cooperation and solidarity of developing countries, but real interaction remains limited due to the need to build bridges between peoples, overcome stereotypes and get to know each other better.