The China in Africa Podcast

From Panama to Kenya to Indonesia, a growing number of developing countries are being pulled into the intensifying rivalry between China and the U.S. For these middle powers, the stakes are high as they must carefully navigate the tension to avoid provoking either side and risking serious consequences. But rather than accommodating the U.S. and China, developing countries should instead pursue a different agenda that puts their interests first. Jorge Heine, a former Chilean ambassador to China, South Africa, and India and now a research professor at Boston University, joins Eric & Cobus to talk about the latest edition of his book on active non-alignment that showcases the role of so-called "new neutrals." JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque 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

Njenga Hakeenah, CGSP's Nairobi-based climate editor and host of The Africa EV Show, delves into the electric vehicle revolution shaping Africa's transport landscape. He discusses how Chinese-made bikes, scooters, and cars are gaining traction in various countries. Njenga highlights Ethiopia's swift adoption and the financial benefits for consumers amid high fuel prices. He also addresses challenges like high tariffs and the innovative leasing models emerging in Kenya, showcasing the potential of e-mobility to transform underserved communities.

After several months of steadily improving ties, India-China relations appear to be cooling once again following the recent clashes in Kashmir. China's military support for Pakistan during the conflict earlier this month has triggered fresh concerns in New Delhi, with many now fearing that the fragile détente built over the past year is starting to unravel. Tensions further escalated in recent days after Beijing announced new names for dozens of locations along the disputed border with India, drawing strong backlash from the Indian media. Meanwhile, the Indian government has banned several Chinese state-run media accounts on the social platform X. Joining Eric from New Delhi is Sushant Singh, a lecturer in South Asian Studies at Yale University, who breaks down the current state of Sino-Indian relations in the aftermath of the Kashmir conflict. Sushant also explains why observers should ignore India's noisy mainstream media and instead pay close attention to what Prime Minister Narendra Modi does—or doesn't—say about China. 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 tiny breakaway nation of Somaliland is making a bold geopolitical wager: deepening ties with Taiwan, courting conservative power brokers in Washington, and positioning itself as a rare pro-U.S. ally in a region where China holds significant sway. But this strategy comes at a cost. By crossing Beijing's red line on Taiwan, Somaliland has likely closed the door on Chinese investment and guaranteed opposition in global forums where China holds veto power. Somaliland foreign policy researchers Moustafa Ahmad and Sacad Muhumed join Eric & Cobus from Hargeisa to discuss the government's high-stakes gamble of playing the big powers off one another to secure formal diplomatic recognition. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque 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

A Nigerian military deal with a Chinese manufacturer marks a significant shift in arms production in West Africa. The podcast dives into how advanced Chinese weaponry, including drones and missile systems, is becoming increasingly popular among African nations—often at lower prices than Western counterparts. Discussions also touch on China's growing military presence in Africa and its implications for geopolitical dynamics, highlighting an evolving landscape where countries like Algeria and Egypt lean towards Chinese defense technologies.

Daniel Russel, a former U.S. diplomat and now Vice President at the Asia Society Policy Institute, and Blake Berger, a consultant focusing on development strategies, dive into the shifting landscape of U.S. and Chinese aid in the Global South. They discuss how reduced U.S. aid impacts vital sectors and compare it with China's proactive approach. The conversation also emphasizes the need for sustainable development over traditional aid, the significance of local governance, and the rising unpopularity of foreign aid in China. A thought-provoking exploration of international development dynamics!

Yunan Chen, a research fellow at ODI Global, and Teal Emery, founder of Teal Insights, delve into the transformation of Chinese development finance in Africa. They discuss how China has shifted from massive bilateral loans to diverse co-financing models, illustrated by the recent Kenyan railway deal. The duo emphasizes the importance of new financial strategies for sustainable development and the growing interest in collaborative partnerships, impacting Africa’s infrastructure landscape significantly as it navigates the era of green energy.

Kenyan President William Ruto wrapped up a four-day visit to China on Friday and returned home with a massive new railway deal and more than a billion dollars of investment pledges. Ruto's successful closing of the Phase III extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to the Ugandan border comes after nearly a decade of Kenyan lobbying in China. Also, this week, Eric & Géraud are at the Salzburg Global Forum in Austria, where they joined a diverse group of civil society stakeholders from across Africa to participate in a lively week-long conference on centering an African vision for a new multilateral future. JOIN THE DISCUSSION: X: @ChinaGSProject | @christiangeraud 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

Freeman Chiwele Mubanga, a Zambian environmental researcher, and Obert Bore, a Transitional Minerals Editor at CGSP, dive into the aftermath of a catastrophic tailings dam collapse at a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia. They discuss the spill’s alarming release of acid waste into the Kafue River, which impacts millions. The conversation highlights the urgent need for accountability from both the Zambian government and the mining company, reflecting broader concerns about China’s environmental track record and the necessity for sustainable governance in Africa's resource sector.

Ray Powell, Director of the Sea Light Initiative at Stanford, and Edwin Shri Bimo, CGSP's Southeast Asia Editor, unpack the complexities of the South China Sea tensions. They discuss the recent near-collision incidents between the Philippines and China and how this strains regional dynamics. The conversation highlights the Philippines' military upgrades and U.S. commitment to its defense, contrasting with America’s stance on other allies. They also examine Indonesia's role in the territorial disputes and the historical context shaping these geopolitical anxieties.