Africa-China

The News and Events category publishes the latest News and Events relating to International Economic Law relating to Africa and the Global South. Every week, Afronomicslaw.org receive the News and Events in their e-mail accounts. The News and Events published every week include conferences, major developments in the field of International Economic Law in Africa at the national, sub-regional and regional levels as well as relevant case law. News and Events with a Global South focus are also often included.

China is the largest developing country with a GDP of USD17.82 trillion, while Africa boasts of a conglomeration of the highest number of developing countries under the largest regional free trade mechanism – the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) – with a collective GDP of USD3.4 trillion. China is Africa’s largest bilateral trade partner. Trade between China and Africa stood at USD282 billion in 2023. China and Africa appreciate the significance of IP rights to fostering bilateral, and intra-regional (Africa), trade. Little wonders, therefore, international cooperation on IP rights forms a key strategy for achieving the objectives of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the AfCFTA agreement. As the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), which was established in 2000, holds in China from 4-6 September with possible focus on green energy, ICTs and technology development, it is important to examine the continued prominence of IP issues in China-Africa relations.

While China has achieved its primary objective of expanding its global influence, the resultant economic viability and heavy debt burden remain questionable. As the Belt and Road Initiative begins its second decade, the AfSDJN calls on African governments to reflect objectively on the impact and trends of Chinese foreign financing on their economies in the past decade, and advocate for a cautious Belt & Road era as the initiative continues.

We invite submission of paper proposals addressing the general theme of the conference from economic, legal, and political perspectives. The conference and the subsequent publication will provide a platform for scholars, policymakers, and practitioners to engage in a constructive and informed debate on the different strategies pursued by Europe and China in Africa, and their impact on the continent's development, governance, and security.

Paper I of the African Sovereign Debt Justice Network Paper Series

July 14, 2021

The Afronomicslaw.org Academic Forum invites you to join their guest lecture series.

Title: An Introduction to Chinese Law and African Interests

Date: Saturday July 17, 2021

Time: 16:00 CAT, 17:00 EAT.

Zoom Registration here.

Guest Speaker:

This post ultimately urges for a nuanced approach to China’s involvement in Africa, turning the “black-and-white” critiques into catalysts for change. Endemic and systemic issues associated with Chinese SOEs may exist, which may be partly attributed to their lack of know-how in overseas operations as well as to cultural differences. Identifying those issues allows for a maximisation of benefits for both the Chinese SOE and the African counter-part. To achieve that, further joint efforts should be engaged by African countries, China and Chinese SOEs.