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.  

Can Kenyan Retail Sector Compete with Chinese Rivals?

 Nanyang Technological University published on 24 February 2025 an article titled "Chinese Budget Chain Shakes Up Kenyan Retail Sector."

China Square, a Chinese owned retail chain selling predominantly imported goods from China, is disrupting Kenya's retail landscape with its low prices.  It has also drawn a backlash from local retailers who say they cannot compete.  Yet for many Kenyan consumers, these lower prices are a welcome relief.  Across Africa, local manufacturing industries could be losing up to $50 billion annually due to competition from low-cost imports, most of them from China.

Chinese Retailers in Africa: Loved by Consumers Hated by Local Competition

 The Guardian published on 12 February 2025 an article "Fair and Square? Chinese Retail Chain's Expansion Rankles Kenyan Rivals" by Carlos Mureithi.  

The expansion of China Square retail chain in Nairobi pleases Kenyan consumers because of its low prices but angers local Kenyan retailers who argue China has created an unequal playing field.  China Square is now operating across Africa.  

Following Kenyan Elections Will There Be Any Change in Relations with China?

 China Global Television Network (CGTN) published on 16 August 2022 an article titled "Why China-Kenya Relations Won't Change Post August 9 Elections" by Stephen Ndegwa.

Former deputy president William Ruto has been declared the winner over Raila Odinga in a very close presidential election contest.  The CGTN author concluded that regardless who wins, "China-Kenya relations will not veer off the current progressive path that they have already assumed since December 2002."  

The Nation published on 21 June 2022 an article titled "Ruto Promises to Deport Chinese in Retail Trade" by Collins Omulu.  Ruto said he would deport Chinese doing retail business that can also be done by Kenyans.

Reuters published on 20 July 2022 an article titled "Kenya Presidential Hopeful Ruto Promises to Publish Contracts with China" by Katharine Houreld and Duncan Miriri.  Ruto said he would make public all government contracts with China, something Kenya has been unwilling to do.  

Impact of Coronavirus on African Economies

Baker McKenzie published on 10 March 2020 an analysis titled "The Impact of COVID-19 on Key African Sectors."

Demand for Africa's raw materials and commodities in China has declined and Africa's access to industrial components and manufactured goods from the region has been hampered. This is causing further uncertainty in a continent already grappling with widespread geopolitical and economic instability.

Ivory Market Shifts to Laos and Chinese Buyers

Nairobi-based Save the Elephants just published a report titled "The Ivory Trade of Laos: Now the Fastest Growing in the World" by Lucy Vigne and Esmond Martin.

Now that China is phasing out the legal sale of ivory, the retail business has moved to Laos where many of the shops are owned by traders from China. Chinese buy more than 80 percent of the ivory being sold in Laos. There are also a few buyers from South Korea and other Asian countries.

Chinese Migrants in Lesotho

Africa Spectrum published in 2013 an article titled "At the Margins of the Economy? Chinese Migrants in Lesotho's Wholesale and Retail Sector" by Sarah Hanisch, a PhD candidate at the University of Vienna.  The article demonstrates that Chinese migrants are not operating at the margins of the economy, but have become a vital element of Lesotho's wholesale and retail sector.