April 08
Africa: US Media Coverage of New Science Less Likely to Mention Researchers With African and East Asian Names
When one Chinese national recently petitioned the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to become a permanent resident, he thought his chances were pretty good. As an… Read more »
December 12, 2023
Africa: China-Africa Relations in 2023 - Key Moments and Events to Remember
In a year when headlines have been dominated by conflict in Europe and the Middle East, and geo-economic tensions between China and the West, China-Africa relations were, in… Read more »
October 26, 2023
Africa: China's Belt and Road Initiative Turns 10, Xi Announces New Priorities
China's Belt and Road Initiative, which now includes 44 African countries, got under way 10 years ago. President Xi Jinping launched it in 2013 with a first speech in Kazakhstan… Read more »
September 28, 2023
Zimbabwe: Zimbabweans Divided on China's Influence
China has big ambitions in Africa. Between 2000 and 2020, the economic superpower loaned African governments US$159 billion to build railroads, highways, stadiums and bridges. Read more »
September 19, 2023
Africa: Nipah Virus Outbreak in India - What You Need to Know
There has been an outbreak of the deadly Nipah virus in Kerala, India. Five people have caught the virus, two of whom have died. Read more »
August 29, 2023
Africa: Brics - African Countries Face Opportunities and Risks in Alienating China or the US - an Expert Weighs in
South Africa recently hosted a Brics summit. The event attracted international attention because the group has recently begun to emerge as a possible rival against US dominance of… Read more »
August 24, 2023
South Africa: Six More Nations Are Set to Join Brics - What They're Buying Into
One key outcome of the 15th Brics summit, hosted by South Africa, is the decision to invite six more countries to join the group with effect from January 2024. They are Argentina,… Read more »
August 06, 2023
Africa: An Expanded Brics Could Reset World Politics but Picking New Members Isn't Straightforward
Eager to escape perceived western domination, several countries - mostly in the global south - are looking to join the Brics bloc. The five-country bloc (Brazil, Russia, India,… Read more »
June 06, 2023
Africa: China's Population Grew Older and Richer - Policy Lessons for Some African Countries
For decades China was the world's most populous country. But that's changed. Its population has peaked, and is now falling. Read more »
June 02, 2023
Africa: What is Brics, and Why is It Presenting South Africa With a Dilemma?
South Africa will host the BRICS summit in August 2023. The event could offer the country an opportunity to exercise leadership in the BRICS' efforts to reform the arrangements for… Read more »
February 03, 2023
East Africa: The Incredible Story of How East African Culture Shaped the Music of a State in India
The term Siddi refers to Afro-Indians - Africans who mixed with Indians through marriage and relationships. Africans crossed the Indian Ocean and arrived in India during the 1200s,… Read more »
January 11, 2023
Ethiopia: Chinese Imports Could Undermine Ethiopian Manufacturing - Leaving Women Workers Worst Off
China is now the African continent's largest trading partner, accounting for US$254 billion in 2021. It's also the main country of origin for African manufacturing imports,… Read more »
Africa: Chinese Workers On Africa's Infrastructure Projects - the Link With Host Political Regimes
China has rapidly become Africa's most important infrastructure builder, and the footprint of Chinese construction companies is seen in cities, towns and villages across the… Read more »
December 08, 2022
Africa: China's Belt and Road Infrastructure Projects Could Help or Hurt Oceans and Coasts Worldwide
More than one-third of all people in the world live in cities, towns and villages on coasts. They rely on healthy oceans for many things, including food, income, a stable climate… Read more »
September 01, 2022
Africa: Wolf Warrior 2 - What the Blockbuster Movie Tells Us About China's Views On Africa
The Chinese film Wolf Warrior II (2017) has been a runaway success - even though it contains controversial expressions of Chinese nationalism and racist stereotypes of Africans. It… Read more »
August 31, 2022
Africa: China Has Waived the Debt of Some African Countries. But It's Not About Refinancing
In mid-August, China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs surprised the world with a series of announcements. Wang Yi, Beijing's most senior diplomat, promised extensive debt relief for… Read more »
August 08, 2022
Africa: Chinese Private Security Firms Are Growing Their Presence in Africa - Why It Matters
Chinese private security companies have found a profitable niche market in Africa: guarding Chinese executives and construction sites. They're also securing Chinese vessels at sea… Read more »
August 04, 2022
Africa: China Has a New Global Development Initiative, But Who Will Actually Benefit From It?
China's well-publicized Belt and Road Initiative to invest in infrastructure projects in other countries has helped it expand its political influence around the world. But a newer,… Read more »
June 16, 2022
Africa: China to Adopt Genetically Modified Maize and Soy - Why It Matters for South Africa
Something important for global agriculture happened this past week but received minimal media coverage. The Chinese National Crop Variety Approval Committee released two standards… Read more »
April 25, 2022
Africa: Continent Faces Hard Knocks As Rich Countries Take Manufacturing Back Home
The global economic crisis triggered by the outbreak of the COVID pandemic in 2020 and Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February this year has intensified the risk of declining… Read more »