The China in Africa Podcast

In this discussion, Anna Gelpern, a legal scholar at Georgetown University, and Brad Parks, director of AidData, dive deep into China's approach to securing loans to developing countries. They debunk the 'debt trap' narrative, revealing there's no evidence of China seizing assets due to unpaid debts. The two experts explore innovative collateral methods, such as future cash flows from infrastructure projects. They also analyze the complexities involved in loan agreements, using case studies from Kenya and Ghana to highlight transparency issues and ethical implications in international finance.

Solange Guo Chatelard is a research associate at the Université Libre de Bruxelles and the executive director of the Chinese in Africa/Africans in China Research Network. She discusses the evolution of China-Africa research, highlighting how new scholars are integrating local narratives and challenging historical biases. Barriers like funding and institutional dominance remain significant. The conversation also explores the shift in educational perspectives among African students towards opportunities in China, emphasizing the need for 'China literacy' in addressing geopolitical complexities.

Poorva Karkare, a senior policy analyst focused on Africa's industrialization, and Karim Karaki, head of ECDPM's Economic Recovery team, discuss Europe's struggles in the critical minerals market. They emphasize the EU's need for a cohesive policy to foster partnerships in Africa, contrasting it with China’s successful model of combining mining with infrastructure development. The duo reveals the geopolitical stakes in the mineral sector, advocates for strategic collaboration rather than competition with China, and highlights the complexities of investment risks in Africa.

Riley Duke, a research fellow at the Lowy Institute and author of 'Peak Repayment,' dives into the staggering $35 billion in Chinese loans that African nations must repay this year. He uncovers the intense pressure on these governments, especially in the world’s poorest countries, as grace periods expire. Duke explores the dilemma faced by Chinese creditors, balancing the need to collect debts while avoiding default risks for vulnerable nations. The discussion reveals complex dynamics in Chinese lending practices and the broader implications of global debt crises.

Ahmed Aboudouh, head of the China Studies Research Unit at the Emirates Policy Center and an associate fellow at Chatham House, discusses China's precarious position after the Israel-Iran conflict. The war has revealed China's vulnerabilities, especially regarding its oil imports through the Strait of Hormuz. Aboudouh explains the shifting dynamics in China-Iran relations and the challenges Beijing faces in balancing its economic interests and energy security in a turbulent Middle East. He also highlights the implications for China's leadership role in the Global South.

Paul Nantulya, a veteran military analyst and research associate at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies, dives into China's robust military engagement in Africa. He reveals that Chinese arms supply has surged, now equipping 70% of African militaries. Officer training programs have skyrocketed from under 200 to over 2,000 participants. Nantulya discusses the implications of China's security cooperation, the political alignment of African forces, and how these developments challenge traditional views of military influence on the continent.

Manjeet Kripalani, Executive Director of Gateway House, and Carlos Coelho, Professor at Pontifical Catholic University, explore how Middle Powers like India and Brazil navigate the U.S.–China rivalry. They discuss the diverging foreign policies of these nations and their focus on independent diplomatic strategies. Insights from a recent survey reveal contrasting views on global order and multilateral institutions. The conversation highlights the importance of economic outcomes over ideological alignments and the complexities faced by smaller nations in an increasingly multipolar world.

For years, China has been seen as the pivotal international economic partner across Africa. That was certainly true in terms of steadily rising trade volumes and a fire hose of state backed loans that built roads, railways, and ports across the continent. But when it comes to investment, China's always been a laggard behind the United States and the former European colonial powers. Today, it's the UAE, not China, that is the continent's largest source of foreign direct investment. Charles Kenny, a senior fellow at the Center for Global Development in Washington, D.C., joins Eric to discuss his latest report on Chinese FDI in Africa and why the long-promised wave of manufacturing investment never materialized. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander  Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social FOLLOW CGSP IN FRENCH AND ARABIC: Français: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Arabic: عربي: www.alsin-alsharqalawsat.com | @SinSharqAwsat JOIN US ON PATREON! Become a CGSP Patreon member and get all sorts of cool stuff, including our Week in Review report, an invitation to join monthly Zoom calls with Eric & Cobus, and even an awesome new CGSP Podcast mug! www.patreon.com/chinaglobalsouth

The podcast dives into the seismic shift in U.S. foreign policy towards Africa under Trump's administration, moving from humanitarian aid to commercial ties. It analyzes how this strategy aims to counter China's increasing influence on the continent. The discussion critiques the historical complexities African nations face when navigating these foreign relationships and highlights the weaknesses in U.S. diplomatic efforts. There's an exploration of the tech landscape, emphasizing the competitive dynamics between U.S. firms and China's presence in Africa.

Jérôme Nima, CGSP's Africa editor, and Obert Bore, critical minerals editor from Harare, delve into pressing issues surrounding mining in Africa. They discuss the skepticism over Zambia's cleanup of an acid spill from a Chinese-owned mine, where government promises clash with activist concerns. Tensions are also rising in the DRC, with public disputes between mining giants highlighting deeper fractures in cobalt and copper sectors. The duo emphasizes the need for transparency and fair compensation amid geopolitical and corporate rivalries.