China's Evolving Role in Africa

COURSE DESCRIPTION

The development landscape in Africa is undergoing a transformative shift, with emerging partners from the global South assuming an increasingly vital role as providers of much-needed finance, expertise, and non-conditional foreign aid for Africa’s development. China has taken center stage as one of the most prominent of these partners, with Chinese enterprises expanding their trade and investment relations with African counterparts by more than tenfold in the past decade.

This burgeoning trade and investment relationship is often supported by grants or concessional loans from the Chinese government, as part of its ‘Going Global’ strategy. This intensified engagement is attributable, in part, to China’s augmented economic influence on the global stage and, in part, to its interest in Africa’s abundant natural resources to fuel its surging economy.

Furthermore, China’s involvement in Africa is increasingly characterized by its active role in bolstering peace and security, alongside its economic engagements. While China’s presence in Africa is not new, its interactions with African states are evolving rapidly, presenting fresh challenges and opportunities for the region’s leaders, businesses, and foreign firms interested in the continent. Understanding China’s relationships with its new African partners necessitates an appreciation of the People’s Republic of China’s historical presence on the continent and its shared identity with less-developed African nations.

Course Objectives:

This course delves into the dynamic relationship between China and Africa, inviting participants to critically analyze the ‘Win-Win’ narrative in China-Africa socio-economic relations alongside the notion of a ‘second scramble for Africa.’ It offers an exploration of interconnected topics shedding light on China’s potential influences on the economies, politics, and societies of African nations. In pursuit of these objectives, the course examines the historical, economic, and political aspects of China’s relations with African countries. It scrutinizes China’s foreign policy strategies and how Africa figures within them.

The course places particular emphasis on dissecting the commercial and diplomatic interactions between China and Africa, analyzing various political arrangements. Moreover, it delves into the challenges, prospects, and consequences of these economic and political relationships for Africa’s future.

Course Learning Outcomes:

Upon successful completion of the proposed course, students will be able to:

• Understand and evaluate the policy process and the implications of China opening its doors to the world.
• Utilize multidisciplinary theories to examine China’s unique development model and its implications.
• Recognize the historical development of the relations between China and Africa.
• Identify the types of economic activities between China and Africa.
• Critically analyze the political and economic relations between China and Africa.
• Critically evaluate the benefits and challenges of these economic relations for the development of African countries.
• Distinguish between the different political and economic strategies that China has employed with various countries in Africa.
• Raise awareness of the various avenues of cooperation between China and Africa.

Who Should Take This Course:

China’s rising influence is undeniably one of the most critical issues in today’s international relations. Whether you have a specific interest in China’s foreign policy or a broader curiosity about African international relations, this course offers valuable insights. If you’re keen on Chinese foreign policy, this course provides a deep understanding of key trends and debates, along with the skills to analyze Chinese foreign policy using political science research methods. On the other hand, if you’re more generally intrigued by African international relations, this course offers an opportunity to apply theoretical frameworks and international relations perspectives to the foreign policy of a specific African nation

Please Note:The courses will proceed only if at least 10 participants sign up. To express your interest, please email ibssa@gadaedu.com. You will then receive further details, including payment instructions and access to the course materials.”

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