Monday, February 18, 2013

China's Changing Access to African Minerals

A new study suggests that China's model of providing large concessionary loans for infrastructure projects to be paid back by sending oil and minerals to China is gradually changing.  Ana Cristina Alves authored a report titled "China's Economic Statecraft and African Mineral Resources: Changing Modes of Engagement" in January 2013 as an occasional paper for the South African Institute of International Affairs.

The report explains how China is moving from loans that swap infrastructure for resources to a new tactic.  Although infrastructure for resources remains an important tool to meet Beijing's oil and mineral supply concerns, China's state owned enterprises are increasingly moving into mergers and acquisitions of resources in Africa.