WAMU Podcast: Putting a Face on USAID

 WAMU, American University Radio, posted on 6 February 2025 a 40-minute podcast titled "Donald Trump and Elon Musk Are Targeting USAID."

Although the radio program aired a month ago and USAID is confronting a far more dire situation today, it is one of the few efforts that puts a human face on the dismantling of a proud and important aid organization.  

Chinese Financing Falls in Africa

 Global Trade Review published on 8 September 2021 an article titled "Chinese Contractors in Africa Turn to Europe for Financing" by Jacob Atkins.

As major Chinese financing institutions such as the China Export Import Bank and China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation (Sinosure) hit exposure limits in heavily indebted African countries, Chinese contractors in Africa have begun seeking financing from European banks and export credit agencies.  

Chinese "Private" Security Companies Expand in Africa

 The Africa Center for Strategic Studies published on 15 June 2021 an analysis titled "Chinese Security Firms Spread along the African Belt and Road" by Paul Nantulya.

China is increasingly relying on so-called private Chinese security firms to protect its interests in Africa.  But Chinese security firms are not private.  At least 51 percent of their capital must be state-owned.  They are controlled by the state and serve its interests.  

The Role of Russian Private Military Contractors in Africa

 The American Foreign Policy Research Institute published on 21 August 2020 an analysis titled "The Role of Russian Private Military Contractors in Africa" by Anna Borshchevskaya, The Washington Institute.

The author looks at the role of the Wagner Group in Libya, Sudan, Central African Republic, and Madagascar.  She concludes that Russia's growing presence in Africa, and its use of private military contractors, should be a cause for concern in the United States.   

Kenyan Push Back Against Chinese Economic Engagement

Kenya's Business Daily published on 30 October 2018 a commentary titled "Yes, There's Need To Limit Competition by Chinese" by George Wachira.

The author cited three areas where there is growing concern in Kenya about China's economic engagement. Chinese construction contractors are getting most of the infrastructure business and pushing Kenyan companies out of the market. Chinese traders are becoming importers, wholesalers, and retailers of basic consumer merchandise in Kenya. China exports far more to Kenya than it buys from Kenya. Wachira said it is time for Kenya to reassess its economic engagement with China, keeping those aspects with genuine socio-economic value and curtailing areas that are pushing Kenya back.

African Debt, Agency, and Chinese Loans

The South African Institute of International Affairs published in August 2018 a paper titled "Debt Trap? Chinese Loans and Africa's Development Options" by Anzetse Were, weekly columnist for Business Daily Africa.

The paper explains why African debt is rising and why Chinese loans are particularly attractive from the viewpoint of African governments. It concludes that the debt trap narrative underestimates the decision-making power of African governments. However, there are important caveats for African governments. These include the impact of China's Belt and Road Initiative on African development agendas, the possible impact of spiralling debt on African sovereignty, and the complex impact of corruption.

China, Africa and Debt

South Africa's Sunday Times published on 23 September 2018 an article titled "'Say No To China': Anger Mounts in Zambia over Beijing's Presence." Zambia's main opposition political party has put the country's debt to China at the forefront of its campaign to unseat the current government.

Kenya's Daily Nation published on 23 September 2018 an article titled "Are China's Financial Dealings in Africa a Debt Trap or Bailout?" by Aggrey Mutambo. The article looks at the positive and negative side of China's loans to Africa without reaching a conclusion.