Monday, October 10, 2016

Will China One Day "Own" Ethiopia?

France 24 journalist Tony Todd interviewed China Africa Project's Eric Olander in a piece called "Will China One Day 'Own' Ethiopia?" that appeared on 7 October 2016.

Olander argued that China's infrastructure engagement in Africa, and especially in Ethiopia, is totally different than European colonialism. China is extending credit to build infrastructure on the basis of mutual agreements with African countries. At the same time, he noted that countries such as Ethiopia and Angola are accruing significant Chinese debt "which is increasingly worrisome." He also questioned when the African countries would be able to take over management of some of these projects such as the new Chinese-financed standard-gauge railroad between Addis Ababa and Djibouti.