The China in Africa Podcast Africa-Asia Relations Beyond China
Sep 19, 2025
Amit Jain, Director at Nanyang Technological University, explores the evolving Asia-Africa economic landscape, highlighting Singapore's role as a trading hub. Veda Vaidyanathan from CSEP shares insights on India's renewed focus on Africa, discussing opportunities and challenges in these partnerships. The conversation delves into critical minerals, mutual learning, and the historical ties influencing current relations. Both guests stress the importance of African agency in navigating partnerships beyond China and the need for deeper engagement with Asian nations.
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Asia's Interest In Africa Is Broadening
- Asian interest in Africa is expanding beyond China into supply chains, critical minerals, and infrastructure projects.
- Southeast Asian countries and Japan are actively seeking resource access and partnerships driven by supply security and growth.
ASEAN Is A Major, Underused Market For Africa
- Southeast Asia (ASEAN) is a large market of ~700 million people with manufacturing capacity relevant to Africa.
- ASEAN-Africa ties are underutilized and should be treated as a strategic opportunity, not just China-related.
Singapore As Finance And Trading Hub
- Singapore functions as a financial and commodity trading hub that routes many China-Africa flows.
- Its capital markets and traders amplify Asia-Africa finance and trade beyond bilateral ties.