China-Africa Economic Ties: Opportunities and Challenges
Miraz Rahman Khan and Md. Saiful Islam Shanto
Abstract
In the last 50 years, China established itself as a credible economic development partner among the African nations. Its funding and finance flourished not just because of Chinese economic policy towards the region rather Chinese policy of non-interference attracted the leaders of this region. Unlike Africa`s Western development partners, China`s unconditionalities regarding lending capital and untied foreign direct investment helped the African nations to help their cause. In context of the African nations, China and its leaders were also flexible about Africa`s overall development and carried out numerous development projects (for example, BRICS, BRI etc..). This research explores the dynamics of China’s economic engagement with African nations, by analyzing its investments, infrastructure projects, trade relations, and foreign direct investments. Furthermore, it also examines how these elements contribute to Africa’s development though criticized by many African and western leaders. This study underscores the need for a balanced approach, and recommending that African nations safeguard their economic autonomy while leveraging China’s investments for their sustainable economic growth.