Zambian Perceptions of China, US, and Russia

 Afrobarometer published on 29 September 2025 a survey titled "Zambians Support Open Trade, Greater African Voice in International Affairs" by Edward Chibwill. 

A broader survey of Zambian public opinion includes an assessment of perceptions of China, the United States, and Russia.  Zambians expressed a 51 percent positive view of China's economic and political influence in the country versus an 8 percent negative view.  The ranking for the United States was 45 percent positive and 9 percent negative and for Russia 19 percent positive and 15 percent negative.  The remaining percentages were neutral.  

The percentage of Zambians who viewed China's influence on Zambia as positive in 2014 was 72 percent.  It declined to 61 percent in 2020 and 42 percent in 2022 before rising to 51 percent in 2024. 

Sudanese Scams Threaten Transition to Democracy

The Sentry published in February 2020 a study titled "Loan Wolves: Debt Scams Threaten Sudan's Democratic Transition and Fragile Economy."

This report documents how, between 2012 and 2018, a company established by the adopted son of former President Omar al-Bashir and a business partner secured multiple contracts to import fertilizer, refined petroleum products and other essential consumer commodities at inflated prices.

Rise of China's Renminbi in Africa

The Centre for Chinese Studies (CCS) at Stellenbosch University published on 19 September 2016 a commentary titled "The Internationalisation of Renminbi in an African Context" by Yi Ren Thng, visiting scholar at CCS.

The RMB has become increasingly important in African trade settlements with China, but the author suggests there are challenges for the RMB to move beyond trade settlement.

Foreign Policy of Somalia

Somalia issued in December 2015 a comprehensive statement titled "Foreign Policy of Somalia."  Importantly, the statement emphasizes the need for regional cooperation and integration and does not mention Somalia's long-standing policy of incorporating the Somali-inhabited regions of Kenya, Ethiopia, and Djibouti into the Somali state. 

Ethiopia: Grand Renaissance Dam

The South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) published in February 2016 a report titled "Energy Dialogues in Africa: Is the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam Transforming Ethiopia's Regional Role?" by Agathe Maupin, visiting senior research fellow at SAIIA.

The paper identifies challenges to energy cooperation between Ethiopia and countries in the region.  It argues that Ethiopia's ownership of the GERD, the recent trade agreement between SADC, the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa, and the East African Community, and growing interest in regional power pooling have created a timely opportunity for greater energy cooperation.  This cooperation will be sustained by an increase in power supply in the region and the shifting national perspectives on regional projects.

China, Africa and Australia

Pursuit, a web site at the University of Melbourne, recently ran a piece titled "China, Australia, and the African Frontier" by Lauren Johnston, University of Melbourne.  It comments on the deepening economic ties of Western Australia with Africa and how China's economic links with Africa impact Australia. 

Egypt Reaches Out to Africa

This Is Africa published on 30 March 2015 a commentary titled "New Energy, Historic Relationships: Why Egypt Is Strengthening Its African Ties" by Karim Sadek, managing director of an African investment firm on the Cairo Stock Exchange.

The author argues that the recent Egyptian Economic Development Conference at Sharm el Sheikh shows that Egypt understands the urgency of accelerating engagement with sub-Saharan Africa.  He cites expanding ties with Sudan, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Uganda. 

Africa Needs to Rethink Piracy Challenge

The Institute for Security Studies (ISS) in South Africa published on 10 March 2014 a piece titled "Fewer Pirates, Different Risks: Africa Needs to Rethink Its Approach to Maritime Security" by Timothy Walker, researcher at ISS.

There has been a sharp decline in piracy in waters off Africa.  The author argues that the Djibouti Code of Conduct is a laudable starting point upon which to build future maritime security capacity in Africa.  But African maritime stakeholders now need to implement the 2050 African Integrated Maritime Strategy, which was adopted by the African Union early this year, as well as become involved in creating and implementing national and regional integrated maritime strategies.  

Regional Integration in East Africa and the Horn

The Washington-based Institute for Defense Analysis published on 12 September 2013 a brief summary of the state of regional integration in East Africa and the Horn.  Written by George Ward, it is titled "East African Regional Integration--No Easy Task."  Of the 11 countries reviewed, all but South Sudan are members of at least 2 African regional organizations. 

China and African Regional Organizations

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University published on 25 June 2013 a commentary by Karina Legradi, research intern, titled "Regional African Organisations as Negotiation Partners with China."  It notes the growing importance of organizations such as the African Union, Southern Africa Development Community, Economic Community of West African States and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa.

The author concludes that if African regional organizations could utilize their collective bargaining power more effectively, negotiations with China would be more beneficial for African states.  If African states spoke with a unified voice in regional organizations, then there would be a more level playing field with China.

Ethiopia as a Regional Power

Writing for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA), Catherine Grant-Makokera and Itumeleng Rantao, looked at Ethiopia's role as a regional power on 28 September 2012.

On the positive side, they highlighted the fact that as a share of GDP, Ethiopia's spending on infrastructure is by far the highest in Africa. They compared GDP growth of Kenya and Ethiopia, noting that Ethiopia has done much better than Kenya since 2003. On the negative side, they pointed out that Ethiopia's manufacturing sector remains uncompetitive, providing less than 10 percent of the total value of merchandise exports.

Click here to read the brief analysis.