The distance between Czechia and Africa – nearly 10,000km – seems impossibly far. However, the country’s prosperity is inseparably linked to Africa. 

The first Czechoslovak representation in Sub-Saharan Africa opened in 1926 in Cape Town, just eight years after Czechoslovakia’s independence in 1918.

Like many African nations, the Czech spirit and story of fighting for freedom have inspired people worldwide. 

Czechoslovakia’s struggle mirrors that of many African countries. First, it lost sovereignty for five years under German Nazi terror. After liberation, it lost independence again to the Soviet Union for over 40 years.

The fresh wind of change came with the Velvet Revolution in 1989, led by Václav Havel – playwright, intellectual, and former political prisoner, who became the leading figure in the struggle for democracy. 

Czechia’s highly industrialised economy offers significant benefits to Africa. Czech companies increasingly seek collaboration in aviation, defence, artificial intelligence, space, cybersecurity, and green technologies.

The country, situated in Central Europe with 10.7 million people and a per capita GDP of $31,700 in 2024, is renowned for robust exports of cars, vehicle parts, and broadcasting equipment. 

Many will be surprised that glass beads used by Kenyans are produced by Czechia’s Preciosa company, and that the Bata shoe company originated in Czechoslovakia, closely connected with independent Czechoslovakia’s history. 

Czech innovation touches millions of lives globally. Modern soft contact lenses, worn by hundreds of millions, were invented by Czech chemist Otto Wichterle. Antonín Holý’s research revolutionised antiviral drug development for HIV and hepatitis B treatment.

Czech cybersecurity firm Avast, which first developed programs to remove viruses from floppy disks, now enables hundreds of millions to enjoy online freedom. 

Czechia leads in Artificial Intelligence research through universities including the Czech Technical University, Charles University in Prague, Masaryk University in Brno, and the Brno University of Technology – all ranking at the top of AI research.

Last year, the country introduced a new AI strategy highlighting its commitment to becoming a technological leader while fully exploiting AI’s transformative potential through research and practical applications. 

Czechia also leads globally in 3D printing and boasts space expertise with a presence in Kenya and Rwanda. The European Union Agency for the Space Programme is headquartered in Prague. 

Czechia’s transition from communism to democracy offers valuable lessons about civil society, independent media, and robust democratic institutions. Czech and African countries share challenges regarding threats to democracy. 

Simultaneously, Czechia’s commitment to green transformation presents tremendous collaboration potential with Africa in renewable energy and sustainable technologies, advancing climate action and sustainable development. 

Czechia continues cultivating crucial people-to-people ties, enabling both regions to progress together on climate, energy, mobility, digital technology, industry, space, health, and more. 

There is so much to learn from the Czech experience, and co-operation with Africa can achieve plenty for the continent. 

The writer is a public policy analyst