Morning Wire The New Battleground: U.S. vs. China in Africa | 1.4.25
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Jan 4, 2025 
Amaka Anku, Head of Eurasia Group's Africa practice, shares her insights into the U.S.-China rivalry in Africa. She discusses President Biden's recent pledge of $1 billion to Angola, signaling a strategic shift to counter Chinese influence. The conversation explores China's Belt and Road Initiative and its implications on African debt. Anku also highlights the U.S.'s pivot from human rights to economic development, emphasizing the strategic value of rare earth minerals and the necessity of aligning foreign policy with local welfare.
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China's Africa Strategy
- China's strategic policy in Africa involves financing infrastructure projects in exchange for resources, primarily oil.
- This approach was welcomed by African nations as Western funding focused on areas like healthcare and education.
Chinese-Financed Train in Kenya
- Amaka Anku recounts taking a Chinese-financed train in Kenya, highlighting its value as an economic connector.
- However, she also notes criticisms about its high cost and other less successful infrastructure projects.
African Debt
- The narrative of Africa's debt crisis being solely attributed to China is misleading.
- Most African debt is owed to multilateral agencies and commercial debtors, not Chinese entities.