Sharp Increase in Egypt-China Economic Cooperation

 Egypt Today published on 31 August 2026 an article titled "Economic Cooperation between Egypt, China Witness Unprecedented Leap."

The article highlights the unprecedented increase in China's economic engagement in numerous Egyptian sectors, especially in the Suez Canal zone and China's role in constructing the New Administration Capital's Central Business District.

Comment:  The article notes that Egypt-China trade reached a record high of almost $21 billion in 2025, marking China's status as Egypt's top trading partner for 14 consecutive years.  It fails, however, to point out that $20 billion constituted Chinese exports to Egypt and less than $1 billion was Egyptian exports to China.  

Is Russia Prepared to Get Serious about Africa?

 Pan African Visions published on 29 August 2026 an article titled "Beyond Promises: Russia-Africa Summit 2026 Faces a Crucial Investment Test" by Kester Kenn Klomegah.

Russia remains a marginal player in African infrastructure, industry, and agriculture compared with China, the European Union, and the United States.  Many announced projects have stalled, financing instruments are weak, and younger Africans see little contemporary economic impact of Russia beyond anti-Western messaging.

At the Russia-Africa Summit in October, Moscow needs to deliver on existing pledges with real capital and project execution and engage Africa's large youth and middle-class markets if it wishes to develop a sustained, mutually beneficial economic partnership with the continent.

Namibian President Visits China: Focus on Critical Minerals and Manufacturing

 Pan African Television posted on 8 July 2026 an article titled "Namibia's President Visits China for Talks on Minerals, Green Hydrogen, and Manufacturing" by Victoria Wilson.

Namibian President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah is on a state visit to China.  Her priority is attracting investment in minerals processing and downstream manufacturing.  Namibia aims to process 57 percent of its exported minerals locally by 2030.

Ethiopia Says It Attracted $13 Billion in Mostly Chinese Investment

Ethiopia's Institute of Foreign Affairs posted on 30 March 2026 an article titled "Ethiopia's Investment Surge and the Strategic Repositioning of Addis Ababa as Africa's Diplomatic-Economic Nexus" by Kena Seyife.  

The "Invest in Ethiopia 2026 Forum" attracted over 800 investors from more than 50 countries and secured over $13 billion in investment commitments.  China's Ming Yang Smart Energy Group Ltd. committed to invest $10 billion in green ammonia and electrical equipment.  The article cautions that Ethiopia's success will depend on its ability to translate investments into tangible economic transformation. 

Comment: Ethiopia is facing several internal security challenges that must be addressed before this kind of investment actually materializes.  It will be important to monitor how many of these commitments valued at $13 billion result in completed projects.    

China's Zero Tariffs for Africa Provide Positive Publicity at Little Cost (in French)

 Thierry Pairault posted on 28 March 2026 a working paper titled "Tarif zero: un petit geste qui ne coute presque rien."

This is the first of two analyses Thierry Pairault has posted on the impact of Beijing's decision to allow imports from 53 African countries to enter China duty free beginning 1 May.  He explains this is an inexpensive gesture that will not have much practical impact. The second working paper was reposted on 30 March below.

China's trade surplus with Africa continues to grow.  China exports value-added goods to Africa while Africa exports mostly raw materials and some agricultural products to China.  A small number of African countries account for most of the continent's exports to China.  

China's zero tariff treatment of African imports may benefit some agricultural products such as coffee and tobacco, but it will not change significantly existing China-Africa trade patterns.  

How Does Africa Benefit from China's Zero Tariffs?

 Kenya's The Star published on 24 March 2026 an article titled "Africa Needs a Harmonised Strategy to Enjoy China's Zero-Tariff Treatment, Expert Reveals" by Rading Biko.

To take full advantage of China's new zero tariff policy, African countries need to pursue a harmonized strategy, meet Chinese import standards, and encourage value addition to African exports.  

Ethiopia's Little-Known Conflict in the Lower Omo

 African Arguments posted on 4 March 2026 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Smaller Wars: Destitution, Conflict Escalation, and Military Abuses in Lower Omo" by Lucie Buffavand.

Me'en and Mun people (also known as Bodi and Mursi) are agro-pastoralists who live in the lower Omo Valley in southern Ethiopia.  These two small ethnic groups have been engaged in conflict since 2023.  Cattle rustling and competition for food is behind much of the conflict.

China, Africa, and Cobalt

 Delaware-incorporated Farmonaut posted on 7 March 2026 a promotional piece titled "Cobalt Shares: China, Africa and the Global 2026 Refining Share."

In 2026, China will control over 75 percent of global cobalt refining capacity, although it mines less than 2 percent domestically.  Africa, especially the Democratic Republic of Congo, supplies more than 70 percent of the world's cobalt, but refines less than 5 percent of its own product.  This promotion looks especially at the use of cobalt in the agricultural and forestry sectors.  

Artificial Intelligence in Africa and Cooperation with China and US

 Nanyang Technological University posted on 24 February 2026 an article titled "The State of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa" by Amit Jain.

This is a nice summary of the current state of artificial intelligence in Africa, the sectors that are most likely to benefit in the coming years, and the countries that are best positioned to take advantage of it. 

The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs published on 7 February 2026 an article titled "The United States, China, and AI Competition in Africa: Lessons for the Global South" by Alice Chen and Neel U. Sukhalme.  

This article (also posted below on 11 February) is a useful addition to this topic, which is fast becoming important to Africa's development.  

China Remains Engaged in South Sudan in the Face of Adversity

 Channel News Asia published on 24 February 2026 an article titled "China Expands Economic Footprint in Turbulent South Sudan" by Patrick Oyet.

The article highlights China's continuing engagement in various sectors in South Sudan even as the country edges toward another civil war.

Comment:  The article did not mention that the China National Petroleum Corporation informed Sudan and South Sudan in December 2025 that it is dissolving its long-standing partnership with Sudan's oil sector.  See the Sudan Tribune's article dated 10 December 2025 titled "China's Exit from Sudan Oil Fields Deepens Crisis for War-ravaged Economy."

Somaliland/Israel/Taiwan vs China

 The University of Nottingham Taiwan Research Hub's Taiwan Insight published on 23 February 2026 a commentary titled "Taiwan's Diplomatic Bridge: Taiwan-Somaliland-Israel vs China in the Horn of Africa" by Faisal Abdirashid Adam. 

Taiwan, which established a liaison office in Somaliland in 2020, has embraced Israel's diplomatic recognition of Somaliland, framing it as a major step forward for the emerging "democratic triangle" of Taiwan, Israel, and Somaliland, which now positions itself as a powerful new alliance for trilateral cooperation in technology, agriculture, and Red Sea security.  

US, China, and AI Competition in Africa

 The Georgetown Journal of International Affairs published on 7 February 2026 an article titled "The United States, China, and AI Competition in Africa: Lessons for the Global South" by Alice Chen, Kobre & Kim LLP, and Neel U. Sukhatme, University of Michigan Law School.  

The article compares US and Chinese approaches to artificial intelligence (AI) exports in Africa and examines how these disparate approaches have produced both downstream benefits and challenges for the region.  Overall, the United States focus on domestic policy and corporate activity and China's focus on state strategy and infrastructure have presented unique opportunities and risks for African countries.  It concludes with policy recommendations for countries in the Global South to maximize benefits and mitigate risks associated with US-China AI competition.

Africa Becomes a Testing Ground for China's Yuan Globalization

 Discovery Alert, an AI-powered mining news publisher, posted on 19 January 2026 an article titled "China's Yuan Globalisation in Africa Accelerates Through 2026" by Muflih Hidayat.  

Africa is emerging as the testing ground for the Chinese yuan to replace the US dollar as China becomes more dominant in African trade.  Factors that support continued growth in China's yuan globalization in Africa are trade expansion, infrastructure investment, debt restructuring, regional integration, and technology advancement.  

American Food Aid after the Destruction of USAID

 The George Washington University Global Food Institute published in October 2025 a report titled "Surveying the Food Aid Ecosystem: Six Months Post-USAID."

The Trump administration dismantled the US Agency for International Development soon after Donald Trump assumed the presidency.  This triggered the most significant humanitarian funding shift in decades.  Billions of dollars in cuts, abrupt stop-work orders, and inconsistent exemptions affected programs across more than 70 countries.  To learn the results of this development, a team from GWU interviewed more than 20 stakeholders across the food aid and assistance ecosystem.

They concluded that local non-governmental organizations, abandoned mid-project without resources, may be reluctant to partner again under U.S. government funding.  Formal forums like the Food Aid Consultative Group ceased functioning, leaving organizations to rely on ad hoc back channels and personal networks.  Agricultural development support has been broadly curtailed, leaving in place short-term in-kind food aid and some humanitarian assistance.  Organizations that once worked through formal networks convened by USAID, the United Nations, and others are increasingly sharing information and advocacy strategies through informal channels.

The pathways of funding, information, and cooperation that defined the aid sector for decades are giving way to a thinner, more fragmented system.  The hope going forward is to shape a more resilient, equitable, and evidence-driven aid system. 

China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation

 Xinhua published on 28 October 2025 an article titled "Chinese, African Experts Join Force to Advance Collaboration on Food Security, Agricultural Modernization."

Experts representing the China-Africa Agricultural Science and Technology Innovation Alliance met in Addis Ababa in October where they focused on cooperation concerning Africa's food security and agricultural modernization.  

Comment:  This is an area where USAID once had the lead in Africa.  Is the United States abandoning the field to China? 

Zambian Farmers Sue Chinese Company

 Africa News published on 29 September 2025 an article titled "Zambian Farmers Sue Chinese Mining Company over Toxic Spill" by Dominic Wabwireh.

Dozens of Zambian farmers filed a lawsuit against Chinese company Sino-Metals Leach (SML) alleging that a massive toxic spill from its mining waste has contaminated their land and water.  They are demanding $271 million in compensation from SML, which says the lawsuit is unfounded.  

Nigeria Seeks to Maximize Benefits of Relations with US and China

 Nigeria's P.M. News published on 16 September 2025 an article titled "Beyond Dependency: US-China Trade Rivalry as Opportunity for Nigeria" by Emmanuel Yashim.  

Drawing on a thoughtful discussion of US and China relations with key countries in Latin America, the article emphasizes that the question for Nigeria is not which partner, the United States or China, to embrace but how to manage both relationships so they serve Nigeria's national development.  The article warns of the dangers of excessive debt and suggests that Nigeria's large trade deficit with China is unsustainable.  

China's Rosewood Imports from Africa Harm Environment

 Foreign Policy published on 9 September 2025 an article titled "China's Appetite for Rosewood Is Causing Chaos in Africa" by Caroline Costello and Joshua Eisenman.  

China imported an estimated $2 billion of rosewood from Africa between 2017 and 2022.  Much of the logging for this rare timber is illegal.  Extreme drought and flooding linked to the loss of rosewood trees have had devastating agricultural impacts.

Challenges Faced by American Researching Chinese Projects in Uganda

 Global China Pulse posted on 22 May 2025 a commentary titled "After Access: The Complexities of Reflexivity in Global China Fieldwork" by Robert Wyrod, University of Colorado Boulder. 

This is a fascinating account of interviewing Chinese managers of Chinese-funded projects in Uganda by a privileged, white American, male academic during a period of deteriorating US-China relations.  It underscores the challenges of doing academic research in difficult circumstances.  

A Former Republican USAID Administrator: Don't Gut the Organization

 Foreign Affairs published on 7 February 2025 an article titled "Don't Gut USAID" by Andrew Natsios, administrator of USAID during the George W. Bush administration.  

The author argues the Trump administration stop work order for USAID has paralyzed US aid programs around the world, bankrupting fragile local aid groups and small businesses and putting lives at risk.  Simply slashing vital programs is a huge mistake, but a far-reaching review and restructuring of US foreign aid is overdue.  If USAID disappears, the Trump administration will cede the field to China and Russia.