Mail & Guardian
Mail & Guardian

Forum For China Africa Co Operation

latest news & developments
Scratch my back: China’s President Xi Jinping walks with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa into the Focac round table conference in Beijing in September 2018. China’s investment in Africa has risen dramatically.(Lintao Zhang/POOL/AFP)
ABIY AHMED

Continental drifts towards Africa

Last year the UK, the United States, Russia and the European Union unveiled their new strategies for Africa and China Germany and India tweaked theirs

  • Alex Vines
7 min read
The second factor reflecting a change in US foreign policy towards South Africa is that, for more than 12 months, the US did not appoint an ambassador to South Africa. (Getty)
BRICS

The United States is shifting its attitude towards Pretoria

Historically, South Africa has been seen as a strategic partner for countries outside the African continent, specifically the US

  • Fazlin Fransman
4 min read
With the US and China both competing for influence in Africa, it’s unclear whether their actions during the pandemic will change perceptions of either superpower on the continent. (Yasuyoshi Chiba/AFP)
AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Continent must be smart about funding

To limit dependence on China, Africa has several options to raise cash for infrastructure development

  • Staff Reporter
5 min read
Chinese President Xi Jinping attends the 2018 Beijing Summit Of The Forum On China-Africa Cooperation. (Lintao Zhang/Pool via Reuters)
AFRICAN UNION

China’s expanding military footprint in Africa

A markedly more muscular approach on the continent is taking Beijing out of its comfort zone

  • Staff Reporter
15 min read
President Cyril Ramaphosa says his economic stimulus package should fend off a full recession. (Delwyn Verasamy/M&G)
CYRIL RAMAPHOSA

Bleeding SA turns to Ramaphosa

Hopes are pinned on the economic stimulus package but uncertainty bedevils the economy

  • Tebogo Tshwane
  • Thulebona Mhlanga
4 min read
China’s state construction company is helping Algeria build its Great Mosque in Algiers. This is just one of many of China’s projects on the African continent. (Ramzi Boudina/Reuters)
BEIJING

How much is China’s $60-billion really worth?

Xi Jinping opened his wallet again, but it’s hard to track where the money for Africa really goes

  • Claire Van
  • Den Heever
  • Claire Van Den Heever
8 min read