China's Investments in Africa

The Nanyang Technological University in Singapore published in 2020 a study titled "China's Investments in Africa - The Changing Landscape."

Drawing on recent data, the study looks at China's foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa. It concludes that Chinese FDI has become more diverse and complex with a trend toward private ownership and sectoral diversity.

Economic Recovery in Sudan

Chatham House published in October 2019 a report titled "Sudan Stakeholder Dialogues: Options for Economic Stabilization, Recovery and Inclusive Growth" by Ahmed Soliman.

The paper draws together the key themes and findings from three roundtables, ranging from broad structural issues to sector-specific priority interventions. It presents options and recommendations for Sudanese leaders, including the transitional government, in support of building a more economically prosperous, peaceful and inclusive nation.

Chinese FDI in Africa in Decline

Thierry Pairault, research director at France's Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, posted on 21 February 2018 part 2 of "China in Africa: Much Ado about Investment."

The author notes that in 2016, according to official Chinese statistics, China's foreign direct investment decreased 19 percent compared to 2015. China's FDI in all of Africa is about the same as what China invests in Germany.

How US Companies Can Compete with China in Africa

The Atlantic Council in Washington released on 7 September 2017 two issue briefs concerning possibilities for doing business in Africa, especially in light of significant Chinese competition. The first paper is titled "Escaping China's Shadow: Finding America's Competitive Edge in Africa" by Aubrey Hruby, a senior fellow at the Atlantic Council's Africa Center. The paper identifies the following five sectors as good prospects for American business: professional and business services; financial services; media, entertainment and information; agribusiness; and renewable energy.

A companion paper, which focuses on the nature of African consumers, is titled "Capturing the African Consumer Market: Truths, Trends, and Strategies for the Road Ahead" by Aleksandra W. Gadzala, a geopolitical risk consultant.

China Expands Investments Across Africa

The Cipher Brief posted on 16 April 2017 an interview titled "China Expands Investments Across Africa" with David Dollar, Brookings Institution.

The author comments on China's growing foreign direct investment (FDI) in countries such as South Africa, the DRC, and Nigeria and financing of infrastructure projects in countries such as Angola, Ethiopia, Sudan, the DRC, and Kenya. China's FDI has moved increasingly from energy and metals to services and manufacturing while most loans continue to go into infrastructure.

China's Engagement with Africa: From Natural Resources to Human Resources

Brookings just published and put on-line a book titled "China's Engagement with Africa: From Natural Resources to Human Resources" by David Dollar, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution.

The book contains chapters on trade between China and Africa, China's direct investment in Africa, China's role in funding African infrastructure, and Chinese workers and labor issues in Africa.

Economic Prospects for Africa in 2015

Drawing on recent studies by Ernst and Young, McKinsey, and the IMF, The Southern Times published an analysis on 9 March 2015 titled "Economic Prospects for Africa in 2015" by Carlos Lopes.  It concludes that Africa is the second most attractive investment destination after Southeast Asia and that Africa's GDP growth rate for 2015 will fall just under 5 percent. 

Is Ethiopia's Sovereign Debt Sustainable?

Pambazuka News published on 5 November 2014 an analysis titled "Is Ethiopia's Sovereign Debt Sustainable?" by Seid Hassan at Murray State University, Minga Negash at Metropolitan State University, Tesfaye T. Lemma at the University of the District of Columbia, and Abu Girma Moges at the University of Tsukuba in Japan. 

The authors concluded that the external debt of Ethiopia has returned to and even surpassed the level where it was before the debt-write-offs.  Ethiopia's external public debt should be a concern in that its growth has been dramatic and has not been matched by a vibrant and diversified export sector.

Chinese Investment in Africa

The Vale Columbia Center on Sustainable International Investment published on 15 April 2013 a brief study titled "How the Private Sector Is Changing Chinese Investment in Africa" by Xiaofang Shen, senior visiting scholar at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

The study explains that Chinese FDI in Africa is becoming increasingly diverse.  Until 2005, only 52 private investment projects in Africa were registered with the Chinese government.  By April 2012, this number had jumped to 923 and Chinese numbers are significantly lower than similar data provided by African countries.

Chinese private investment projects are concentrated in manufacturing (36 percent) and services (22 percent).  State-owned companies have focused on construction (35 percent) and resource extraction (25 percent).