Blue Metal Blues: Cobalt, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and China
As global demand for electric vehicles increases, so does competition for the rare metals used in the batteries that power them.
Toolkit: China-Africa
Lessons for Africa in Chinese SOE Governance
China’s state-owned enterprise (SOE) sector is vast and diverse. There are more SOEs in China than companies of all kinds in most African countries, and China’s state sector produces more and has grown faster than sub-Saharan Africa’s entire economy.
Vaccine Diplomacy and Beyond: New Trends in Chinese Image-Building in Africa
In the face of growing tensions between the US and China, Beijing’s relationships with the Global South are taking on particular salience.
African agency and Chinese power: The case of Djibouti
It seems unlikely that Djibouti – smaller than Belgium and with fewer than 1 million inhabitants – can expect to enjoy any agency vis-à-vis the Chinese behemoth.
China holds all the cards as pandemic pushes African countries to default on loans
Governments on the continent may be forced to cede control of key assets as Beijing swops debt for equity.
Not much give from China in its relationship with Africa
Despite a warm African response to the recent ‘Extraordinary China-Africa Summit on Solidarity Against Covid-19’, not much new came out of the virtual meeting. Crucially, there was no movement on cancellation of the $150bn in concessional loan debt.
Ambassador Lin Songtian’s recall signals shifts ahead in China-Africa relationship
The sudden recall from South Africa of Chinese ambassador Lin Songtian was initially interpreted as being a demotion. But the contrary appears to be true – it now looks as though his deft use of Twitter has propelled him into another role: A combatant in the growing US-China media confrontation.
Africa could be the winner as the US attempts to stifle Huawei
The adoption of 5G technology, powered by Chinese tech giant Huawei, has become a game of international geopolitical football with Donald Trump as the self-appointed referee. Africa is set to become an early adopter – but there are political, economic and security risks attached.
G20: Where are leaders when you need them?
The G20 sees its role as providing a rudder guiding the global economy through choppy seas.
China’s Belt and Road plan: how will it affect Africa?
Depending on who you listen to, China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is either the end of the world, or the beginning of a much better one. The initiative is a massive rollout of infrastructure aimed at connecting China to other economic centres in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and beyond, and it has become the centrepiece of President Xi Jinping’s foreign policy.
