Chinese Demand for Timber and Wildlife in West Africa

 The Keough School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame published in October 2025 a paper titled "Chinese Demand for Timber and Wildlife in West Africa: Responding to the Environmental and Social Impacts" by various authors.

China's demand for timber and illegal wildlife products contributes significantly to deforestation and biodiversity loss in West Africa.  This paper recommends ways to strengthen enforcement and promote accountability to address environmental and social impacts of Chinese demand for timber and wildlife.

China-Nigeria Water Conservation Cooperation

The Journal of Current Chinese Affairs recently published an academic study titled "Repository Africa in the Evolving 'Chinese Century':The Uneven Sino-Nigerian Water Conservation Partnership" by Adebusuyi Isaac Adeniran, Obafemi Awolowo University in Nigeria.

The study assesses specific outcomes of China's water conservation project in Kano, Nigeria, and argues that it has facilitated technology and skill transfer but might eventually lead to neo-dependency.

China Implements Ban on Ivory Imports

World Press Review published on 12 January 2018 an interview titled "China Makes Good on Its Pledge to Curb Elephant Poaching with Ivory Trade Ban" with Grace Gabriel, regional Asia director for the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

At the beginning of this year, China implemented a ban on the domestic sale and processing of ivory. As the largest consumer of ivory, this move should significantly reduce the incentives for the poaching and killing of elephants in Africa.

Kenya: Drought, Pastoralism, and Violence

World Politics Review published on 9 May 2017 an interview with Murithi Mutiga, International Crisis Group, titled "How Drought and Politics Are Exacerbating Pastoralist Violence in Kenya."

The author discusses the intersection in northern Kenya of drought, access to water and pasture, pastoralism, land conservation and confiscation, and politics. The result is an increase in violence.

Securing Somali Fisheries

Secure Fisheries published on 16 September 2015 a lengthy report titled "Securing Somali Fisheries." It is the most comprehensive study of the Somali fishing sector to date.  It documents the negative impact of illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing by foreign vessels from many countries on the sustainability and profitability of Somali fisheries.  Fishing vessels from the following countries are believed to be the main offenders: Iran, Yemen, Spain, Egypt, France, Seychelles, South Korea, Taiwan, Italy, and Pakistan. 

The report identifies opportunities for Somalis to combat illegal fishing, protect commercially important stocks, and improve fisheries governance to promote stability and income security.  It also highlights ways for the international community to move away from unhindered exploitation of Somali resources and toward supporting Somalis in their quest for sustainable fisheries.

Policy Briefs on China-Africa Relations

The Centre for Chinese Studies at Stellenbosch University published in August 2015 three policy briefs dealing with different issues in the China-Africa relationship in anticipation of FOCAC VI to be held in South Africa this year.

One is titled "South Africa-China Multi-lateral Co-operation: BRICS and FOCAC" by Yejoo Kim and Nusa Tukic.  The paper discusses the importance of South Africa's growing role as a member of the BRICS and FOCAC, how they can contribute to South Africa's sustainable development, and how South Africa can take advantage of membership in both organizations.

Another is titled "Preparing for FOCAC VI: China-South Africa Co-operation in Conservation and Renewable Energy" by Meryl Burgess and Harrie Esterhuyse.  It examines the role of these two themes as a way of demonstrating some of the concrete ways in which China-Africa interaction is evolving in a world where sustainable development has become key.

The third is titled "The Temptations and Promotion of 'China Dream': Calling for Africa's Home-grown Rhetoric" by Paul Tembe.  It discusses the domestic context of the Chinese Dream and analyses its extension into Africa in the form of the African Dream.  It suggests the need to establish an African home-grown rhetoric that will help Africa maximize gains in the spaces provided by China's paradigm shift and offer lessons that will better prepare China for engagement in Africa.