International Markets Interested in Investing in Africa? African innovators are moving fast to make this a reality. Manufacturers of telecom infrastructure and low-cost smartphones such as ZTE and Tecno are gaining increasing market share.
Lessons from the China-US trade truce
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By using our website you consent to all cookies in accordance with our updated Cookie Notice. This article is part of the World Economic Forum’s Geostrategy platform. Dozens of African leaders have made the trip to Beijing, with the aim of bolstering political and commercial ties with China. FDI, invested by companies from their balance sheets, is the best indicator of true market .
Unlike Western assistance, which comes mainly in the form of outright transfers of cash and materiel, Chinese assistance consists mostly of export credits and loans for infrastructure often with little or no interest that are fast, flexible, and largely without conditions. Many observers have warned of the real risk of Chinese lending undermining African sovereignty and U. For example, in remarks early this year, then-U. Since , it has been home to the largest U. Beijing has leveraged this money to open its first overseas military installation, which is located in Djibouti City next to a port that is also owned and operated by China. The base has badly crowded U. The Djibouti example aside, though, Chinese loans are neither inherently good nor bad—they will be whatever the African nations choose to make of them.
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This article is part of the World Economic Forum’s Geostrategy platform. Dozens of African leaders have made the trip to Beijing, with the aim of bolstering political and commercial ties with China. FDI, invested by companies from their balance sheets, is the best indicator of true market. Both Chinese and American large-cap firms have an extensive presence on the continent. Companies such as Huawei and Transsion are becoming as well-known as General Electric and Coca-Cola in some countries.
Manufacturers of telecom infrastructure and low-cost smartphones such as ZTE and Tecno are gaining increasing market share. McKinsey estimates that there are over 10, Chinese-owned companies operating in Africa, the bulk of which are small firms.
The broad thrust of greater engagement with Africa has senior leadership support, but br officials are not micromanaging state-owned enterprises and coordinating their activities abroad. There is significant competition amongst Chinese companies fighting for the same large-scale infrastructure contracts in the region.
Beijing does not keep a central information repository on foreign loans extended as part of BRI. The lack of coordination undercuts the idea that China is a strategic juggernaut that cannot be derailed. Investmsnt 3: African Governments are being Swindled by Beijing A final myth is that Ghere governments are passive in negotiating contracts with the Chinese and regularly coerced into accepting bad deals.
Over the fifteen years of increased Chinese activity in the region, African governments are well aware of Chinese interests and have refined their negotiating tactics to better advance development objectives. Despite criticism that Chinese firms heavily depend on Chinese labour, for example, most infrastructure projects are completed primarily by African workers, with Chinese nationals in management or technical positions.
Local content and job training are regularly included as part of contract negotiations between African countries and China Export Import Bank. While some railway and road developments involve kickbacks for African politicians, most spur hhere economic growth.
As better infrastructure facilitates trade and the movement of people, however, concerns over African debt levels are emerging from both US and international sources. The US policy-making community must be clear-eyed about the Chinese commercial relationship with Africa in order to focus American commercial diplomacy. Fixating on the invfstment aspect of Chinese economic engagement causes US policy makers to miss other, more powerful opportunities for American competitive advantage investmennt sectors such as financial services, venture capital, and the entertainment industry.
By updating and recalibrating the view of China in Africa during the FOCAC, US policy makers will be able to avoid distraction and gain ground in sectors of future growth for African countries. World Economic Forum articles jore be republished in accordance with our Terms of Use. Published in collaboration with the Atlantic Council. The views expressed in this article are those of the author doez and not the World Economic Forum.
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Manufacturers of telecom infrastructure and low-cost smartphones such as ZTE and Tecno are gaining increasing market share. By working to secure a solid base of critical raw materials, China strengthens its economy for decades to come. Oshiorenoya Agabi, a theoretical physicist based in Nigeria, just created Koniku Kore, a modem-sized gadget that utilizes neurons from mice to detect explosives and sense diseased cells. How are Africa and China engaging, and how will the partnership evolve? Many African cultures also have long-held and holistic approaches, such as the spirituality and non-gendered traditions of the Yoruba, Zulu, and Igbo religions. Your Practice. Is China a friend of Africa? Why Africa needs to become more like China. The broad thrust of chinw engagement with Africa chjna senior leadership support, but party officials are not micromanaging state-owned enterprises and coordinating their activities abroad. This article is part of the Xoes Economic Forum’s Geostrategy platform.
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