The Rise of China and India in Africa: Challenges, Opportunities and Critical Interventions

by Fantu Cheru (Editor), Gunilla Carlsson (Foreword), Dot Keet (Contributor)

In recent years, China and India have become the most important economic partners of Africa and their footprints are growing by leaps and bounds, transforming Africa's international relations in a dramatic way. Although the overall impact of China and India's engagement in Africa has been positive in the short-term, partly as a result of higher returns from commodity exports fuelled by excessive demands from both countries, little research exists on the actual impact of China and India's growing involvement on Africa's economic transformation.

This book examines in detail the opportunities and challenges posed by the increasing presence of China and India in Africa, and proposes critical interventions that African governments must undertake in order to negotiate with China and India from a stronger and more informed platform.

Genres: Africa, China, India, Nonfiction, Politics

288 pages, Hardcover

First published February 11, 2010

Reviews

[Margitte · Rating 4 out of 5]

A well-research compilation of articles on the geopolitical shift of power and influence. The impact of China's replacement of the IMF as purse holder of the world and the complete control it renders over vulnerable countries who are unable to protect their citizens against the long-term consequences. The geopolitical imperialism of the second largest economy in the world can be read between the lines.

The development policies benefit Africa like never before, contributing to the economical renaissance of a desperately eager continent, as long as control over the governments, natural resources (in particular) and benefits for local inhabitants are slowly taken over without much fanfare or screaming media attention. Details are hard to come by. Secrecy rules. Agreements are hardly worth the paper it is written on.

India's role is big, but not as prominent, although the Eastern investments in Africa aim to strengthen the two major players' role in the UN and other geopolitical power stations. This support is non-negotiable and set in stone from the very beginning of any development aid. Infrastructure benefits are welcomed. The vigorous exploitation of the natural resources to benefit the new controllers are quite dramatic and perhaps, in the long run, tragic.

Africa has new masters. The impact is already visible to the naked eye.

PS. A few books to consider on this subject:

Howard.W. French: A Continent For The Taking: The Tragedy and Hope of Africa

Serge Michel: China Safari: In the Trail of Beijing's Expansion in Africa;

Robert I. Rotberg: China into Africa: Trade, Aid, and Influence;

Ian Taylor: China and Africa - Engagement and Compromise (Routledge Contemporary China);

Meine Pieter van Dijk: New Presence of China in Africa (Amsterdam University Press - EADI);

Fantu Cheru, Cyril Obi: The Rise of China and India in Africa- Challenges, Opportunities and Critical Interventions (Africa Now);

Deborah Brautigam: Will Africa Feed China?.

[Lydia Hedelin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting course literature. Written well and sectioned off in a way that makes it easier to understand