China's Presence in Africa: Perspectives from the Continent
Tuesday, 21 June 2021
12pm Washington D.C.
5pm London / Kinshasa
6pm Paris / Cape Town / Cairo
7pm NairobiToday, Africa owes over $150 billion to China – not far off from what it collectively owes the International Monetary Fund.
There have been increasingly heated debates around the role and influence of China on the continent. China is Africa’s largest trade partner and it recently established its first mission to the African Union. China offers loans, grants and development deals without the anti-corruption and human rights strings favored by the U.S. and Europe. Due to this ‘non-interference policy,’ there is a belief that China’s economic might is too often used to roll back democratic progress. Studies have shown that when Chinese aid to an African country increases, state violence rises too.
While a debate is taking place across the African continent – in the media, in coffee shops, and among elite circles – the topic continues to be dominated by voices from the global north. Is this merely bickering among superpowers -- one that Africa has been unwillingly dragged into?
Our June 21 program will seek to provide balance to this discussion, by elevating African perspectives and expertise that are often missing. Ahead of the show, we are working with Ghanaian artist, Bright Ackwerh, to present work that depicts the China-Africa relationship from his perspective. We will additionally solicit audience reactions and views on the piece as we build up to our June 21 show. You won’t want to miss this interactive experience!
Meet our speakers
Bright Ackwerh
Bright Ackwerh is a Pan-African artist based in Accra, Ghana who works at the critical cross-sections of satire, street art, and illustration to provoke needed debate and unapologetically expose political hypocrisies. His award-winning artwork has been featured on CNN, as well as in exhibitions across West Africa, Europe and the United States.
Anzetse Were
Anzetse Were is a development economist, often quoted in major media outlets, who works with and advises African governments, the private sector, and development institutions to help them navigate the complex realities of African economies. She is an expert on Africa-China relations, an issue on which she has published extensively.
Hannah Ryder
Hannah Ryder is a former diplomat and economist from Kenya who was named by New Africa Magazine as one of 2021's most influential Africans. She is the CEO of Development Reimagined, an award winning African-led consultancy group that works with governments, NGOs, and various stakeholders on development and foreign policy issues, including strengthening their China–Africa policies.
Discussion
Nic Cheeseman
Nic Cheeseman is the Professor of Democracy at the University of Birmingham and the author of Democracy in Africa and How to Rig an Election. He is founder and editor of Democracy in Africa and a contributing editor to The Continent, and an election junkie.
Yu-Shan Wu
Yu-Shan Wu is a South African research fellow at the University of Pretoria, where she earned her PhD in International Relations in 2019. She is a highly respected scholar who has written extensively on China’s approach to media and public diplomacy in Africa. Recently, she co-edited the book, 'South Africa–China Relations: A Partnership of Paradoxes.'
Moderation
Mantate Mlotshwa
Mantate Mlotshwa is a passionate advocate for the meaningful contribution of women and youth to democracy and governance processes. The Founder of the creative brand U Motle, she has earned a reputation for speaking her mind and promoting positive messages of liberation and emancipation in Zimbabwe and beyond.
Jeffrey Smith
Jeffrey Smith is an award-winning human rights campaigner, social media influencer, and a prolific writer. He is co-creator of The Resistance Bureau and also founding director of Vanguard Africa, a global nonprofit organization that partners with visionary African leaders to build campaigns for democracy and ethical leadership.