INtheKNOW
IS THE CHINESE OPTIMISM IN AFRICA DWINDLING? THE ERA OF CHINESE OPTIMISM IN AFRICA MAY BE FINALLY GETTING OVER - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW: ONE OT THE MOST IMPORTANT DEVELOPMENTS OF THE DECADE OF 2000S WAS THE RAPID GROWTH OF CHINAâS TRADE.
O
ne of the most important developments of the decade of 2000s was the rapid growth of Chinaâs trade, investment, and official financial flows to Africa. Although there was a tremendous growth in Chinaâs trade and investment links with the African continent, the most striking feature of the ChinaâAfrica relationship was Chinese finance for infrastructure development.
China committed nearly US $153 billion to African public sector borrowers between 2000 and 2019. https://lnkd.in/eBbvuyT7
China committed nearly US $153 billion to African public sector borrowers between 2000 and 2019. Chinese finance to Africa was predominantly channelled through the China Development Bank and the China EXIM Bank, and Chinese companies built vital infrastructure including roads, railways, ports, etc. Chinaâs growing footprint in Africa caught the attention of researchers and journalists alike and the literature on Chinaâs Africa engagement grew rapidly. However, most studies presented a dichotomous understanding of Chinaâs impact on African countries by presenting China either as a âthreatâ or as an âopportunityâ for Africa. An objective view of Chinaâs role in Africa has largely been missing. On the one hand, there are those who believe that China is playing an important role in African development through its contribution to infrastructure development in a continent where shortage of infrastructure
CEO GLOBAL MAGAZINE.COM
facilities is a major barrier to growth. On the other hand, are scholars who have been very critical of Chinaâs resources for infrastructure deals in Africa and the opacity of Chinese lending practices and have accused China of âDebt Trap Diplomacyâ. Experts have also highlighted the problem of Chinaâs âhidden debtâ because a significant portion of the Chinese lending to African countries is not reported. According to a recent study by #AidData, Chinaâs underreported debts to lower- and middle-income countries are to the tune of US $385 billion. Notwithstanding the growing criticism of Chinaâs lending practices, African leaders viewed China as an important ally and welcomed Chinese finance in infrastructure projects and the nature of Chinese engagement, often described as âwin-win partnershipâ. For instance, #PaulKagame, the President of Rwanda, has often defended Chinese engagement in Africa. In his words, âChina relates to Africa as an equal partnerâ. However, in the aftermath of the COVID19 pandemic, most African countries are experiencing mounting debt burdens. According to International Debt Statistics 2022, published by the WorldBank, SubSaharanAfricaâs external debt stocks increased by 43 percent from US $492 billion in 2016 to US $702 billion in 2020. Further, the report observes that the Sub-Saharan region, led by Angola, has witnessed the sharpest rise in Chinese debt. Though the pace of debt accumulation has slowed since 2018, Sub-Saharan Africa accounts for 45 percent of end-2020 obligations to China.
BY MARK ANTHONY
JANUARY
VOL 22
47