China's Information Campaign in Africa

 The Diplomat published on 23 October 2024 a commentary titled "China's Battle for Narratives in Africa" by Samir Bhattacharya and Yuvvraj Singh, both with India's Observer Research Foundation.  

China has built narratives to its advantage in Africa, a region that has increasingly become a theater of great power rivalry.  China's information strategy in Africa consists of three parts.  First, it hosts and trains numerous African media professionals each year, teaching them to promote Chinese investments as a positive force.  Second, China invests in local African media outlets, influencing their editorial practices to align with the Chinese narrative.  Third, China sells technology to African governments that enables tighter control over digital information, including blocking websites and shutting down internet access.  

China's StarTimes Digital TV Outreach to Africa Disappoints

 The BBC published on 2 September 2024 an article titled "China's Mission to Win African Hearts with Satellite TV" by Shawn Yuan.  

China funds StarTimes private digital TV in African villages as part of its soft power program.  It began as a free aid project but became a subscription service at subsidized rates.  Many villagers cancelled their TV service after the free trial period ended.  The initiative began with much promise but has become a disappointing part of China's soft power effort in Africa.

China's Strategy to Shape Africa's Media Space

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 16 April 2024 an analysis titled "China's Strategy to Shape Africa's Media Space" by Paul Nantulya.

The author describes a global strategy by the Communist Party of China (CPC) to gain influence in developing countries by shaping their information environments.  This raises concerns about the effect that China's heavy media penetration is having on shaping public perceptions in ways that promote Chinese interests even when they undermine African citizen interests.  

Thousands of African journalists participate annually in media exchanges in China.  Money is the key; Chinese media entities support many African media houses struggling with poor equipment, low salaries, and tight budgets.  Nevertheless, the author concludes the effectiveness of Chinese messaging is mixed.  

China and Russia's Propaganda Assault on Africa

 The Daily Maverick published on 27 March 2023 a commentary titled "Media Capture and Information Laundering--China and Russia's Propaganda Assault on Africa" by Herman Wasserman, Stellenbosch University.  

The governments of China and Russia have been working hard to frame information in Africa to fit their policies and interests.  Increasingly, this communication includes fake narratives and amplified conspiracy theories.  

China's Media Influence in Africa

 Japan Forward published on 8 June 2022 an article titled "'Manage the Globe': China Funds African Media, Digital Space for Direct Influence" by Monika Chansoria.

The article summarizes China's efforts to manage media messaging in Africa by investing in government run radio, television, and print media and training African journalists.

China Makes Inroads in Africa's Media Markets

Foreign Policy posted on 13 August 2019 an article titled "In Africa, China Is the News" by Aubrey Hruby, Atlantic Council.

The article summarizes the dramatic expansion of Chinese companies in Africa's cell phone, television, and print media markets. It is also training African journalists.

StarTimes a Win for Chinese Soft Power in Africa

The Diplomat posted on 14 February 2019 an article titled "How a Pay TV Company Is Serving Up a Soft Power Win for China in Africa" by Angela Lewis, Nottingham University.

State affiliated but privately-held pay television company, StarTimes, is partnering with African state broadcasters and other organizations to provide new entertainment channels and digital satellite infrastructure. It is funded by Chinese state banks and provides service to rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa. Because it serves as a proxy for Beijing, it is a win for Chinese soft power.

China-Africa ICT Cooperation

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University published on 12 December 2016 a commentary titled "The Fourth Industrial Revolution: China-Africa Co-operation" by Tichafa Chidzonga, research assistant at the Centre for Chinese Studies.

The commentary addresses how China-Africa cooperation in information communication technology (ICT) is navigating the Fourth Industrial Revolution.