Why Africa Needs China?
Why Africa Needs China? Why are African countries more favorable towards China as an economic partner than the West?
Why Africa Needs China? Many countries have ties to Africa, albeit from a different perspective. Some see African countries as a partner, others see it as a great provider of natural resources. Regardless of that, Europe, the US, Canada and even countries like China have managed to develop relationships with Africa. However, some of these relationships are working better when compared to others.
China Is Different As Compare To The West
Why Africa Needs China? Many countries in Africa see China as a trustworthy ally. The US or EU tend to have their own aspirations, plus they are known for having a history of colonialism and trying to subdue many powers in Africa. China is not like that. They are known for respecting other states and cultures, mainly because they are treated the same way by other countries. This is what makes them the ideal ally for developing countries in regions like Africa. Moreover, China is not only being fair with trading, it also focuses on resources that might be harder to sell to other countries. Add to that the fact that African countries are importing a lot of items from China, and you can see why this has managed to become a mutually beneficial way for African countries and China to fulfill their needs, while also helping each other. Plus we have to understand that China invests in the infrastructure, not only in ways to acquire resources. They announced a $1 billion Belt and Road Africa infrastructure development fund. They also announced a $60 billion African aid package too. This shows that China is very interested in Africa, and they are indeed going to continue investing in Africa. They are a great trading partner, and helping each other does become mutually beneficial.
China Is Investing In Africa
Yes, China is focused a lot not only on things like trading, but also construction, manufacturing, infrastructure, finance and other similar fields. If you compare China with the US and other countries, you will notice that they have a lot more investments. The US and EU invest in things like mining, but China actively invests in infrastructure and things that are actually making a difference in Africa. Which is why it’s easy to understand the reason African countries tend to gravitate towards China. It’s important to note that the Chinese FDI is diversifying quite a bit. While mining and construction still are around 54% of the FDI, the manufacturing stocks have increased to 13%. This is a country that’s not just interested in mining and grabbing resources from the ground. Instead, it actively focuses on the growth of African countries. And as we mentioned above, China is not a colonial power. African countries find it easier to have a common, equal ground with China for example, when compared to European countries that were colonial power. Having equal footing in the case of
trading and sharing resources is super important, and that’s the main reason why China tends to have a lot more growth here, when compared to other states.
China’s Relationship With African Countries In The Future?
It’s hard to tell, but it certainly seems like that. The most important thing to note here is that China is creating businesses in African countries, they are developing the local infrastructure, in many cases they are bringing internet and digitalization to African countries. They aren’t just trading, instead they are actively spending money and investing in Africa. Which is why African countries tend to keep China in high regard, when compared to other countries. Curated by: Ishmael Osekre
