China Africa Research Initiative

Last updated
China Africa Research Initiative
AbbreviationCARI
Formation2014;10 years ago (2014)
Headquarters1717 Massachusetts Ave NW, Suite 723
Location
  • Washington, D.C.
Director
Deborah Bräutigam
Website www.sais-cari.org OOjs UI icon edit-ltr-progressive.svg

The China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is a research program dedicated to understanding the political and economic aspects of China-Africa relations. Launched in 2014, it is based at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C.

Contents

SAIS-CARI is focused on producing and promoting high quality, well-researched, and data-backed analysis of the relationship between China and African countries. It also specializes in conducting evidence-based analysis, fostering collaboration, and training future leaders to understand the economic and political dimensions of China-Africa relations and their implications for human security and global development.

The initiative is directed by Dr. Deborah Bräutigam, SAIS Professor of Comparative Politics and director of the International Development Program (IDEV). She is the author of Will Africa Feed China? (2015), The Dragon's Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa (2009), and the blog "China in Africa: The Real Story." Both of Bräutigam's books use extensive fieldwork and on-the-ground evidence to challenge conventional wisdom on China's relationship with African countries.

Research

China's annual committed finance to African countries, 2000-2014 China's annual committed finance to African countries, 2000-2014.png
China's annual committed finance to African countries, 2000-2014

SAIS-CARI's research areas include Chinese agricultural investments in Africa, Chinese hydropower finance in Africa, the flying geese model in African industries, Chinese loans to Africa, and Chinese FDI and structural transformation in Africa. The research is grounded in both quantitative data collection and analysis as well as qualitative field research. As a result, SAIS-CARI has created several rigorously cross-checked databases on various aspects of Chinese activity in Africa.

Of note, in April 2016, the Initiative launched its exclusive database of Chinese loans to African countries. The findings of this database have been featured in NPR, The Economist, and The New York Times', among other media outlets. As of March 29, 2021, this database is now managed by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center.

In February 2021, CARI also launched its Debt Relief Dashboard, which reports official information about global Chinese debt relief in the COVID-19 era.

Annual conferences

SAIS-CARI in the media (selected)

SAIS-CARI research has been featured in NPR, Financial Times , The New York Times , The Wall Street Journal , The Economist , Bloomberg, The Washington Post , and more. [8]

Publications (selected)

SAIS-CARI publishes policy briefs, working papers, briefing papers, and economic bulletins on a range of topics concerning the growing relationship between China and Africa. The publications can be found on CARI's website.

Policy briefs (selected)

Working papers (selected)

Briefing papers and economic bulletins (selected)

Funding

SAIS-CARI currently receives support from Carnegie Corporation of New York to develop a database to track Chinese finance and investments in Africa; construct and maintain the CARI website; publish newsletters, working papers, and policy briefs; host conferences, roundtables, and workshops; and fund the CARI fellowship program for scholars, journalists, researchers and practitioners.

In the past, SAIS-CARI has also received support through a grant from the UK's Department for International Development and the Economic and Social Research Council (DFID/ESRC) for a project on "evidence-based analysis of technology transfer, linkages, learning, and spillovers associated with Chinese investment in African manufacturing, agribusiness, and construction industries." [14]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">International Monetary Fund</span> International financial institution

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) is a major financial agency of the United Nations, and an international financial institution funded by 190 member countries, with headquarters in Washington, D.C. It is regarded as the global lender of last resort to national governments, and a leading supporter of exchange-rate stability. Its stated mission is "working to foster global monetary cooperation, secure financial stability, facilitate international trade, promote high employment and sustainable economic growth, and reduce poverty around the world." Established in July 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference, primarily according to the ideas of Harry Dexter White and John Maynard Keynes, it started with 29 member countries and the goal of reconstructing the international monetary system after World War II. It now plays a central role in the management of balance of payments difficulties and international financial crises. Through a quota system, countries contribute funds to a pool from which countries can borrow if they experience balance of payments problems. As of 2016, the fund had SDR 477 billion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economy of Kenya</span>

The economy of Kenya is market-based with a few state enterprises. Kenya has an emerging market and is an averagely industrialised nation ahead of its East African peers. Currently a lower middle income nation, Kenya plans to be a newly industrialised nation by 2030. Major industries within the Kenyan market include financial services, agriculture, real estate, manufacturing, logistics, tourism, retail and energy. As of 2020, Kenya had the third largest economy in Sub-Saharan Africa, behind Nigeria and South Africa. Regionally, Kenya has had a stronger and more stable economy compared to its neighboring countries within East Africa.By 2023, the country had become Africa's largest start-up hub by both funds invested and number of projects.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Economic development</span> Process and policies to improve economic well-being

In the economics study of the public sector, economic and social development is the process by which the economic well-being and quality of life of a nation, region, local community, or an individual are improved according to targeted goals and objectives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">African Development Bank</span> Multilateral development finance institution

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) or Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) is a multilateral development finance institution headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, since September 2014. The AfDB is a financial provider to African governments and private companies investing in the regional member countries (RMC).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chinese Century</span> Neologism suggesting that China may dominate the 21st century geoeconomically or geopolitically

The Chinese Century is a neologism suggesting that the 21st century may be geoeconomically or geopolitically dominated by the People's Republic of China, similar to how the "American Century" refers to the 20th century and the "British Centuries" to the 18th and 19th, same in the 17-18th centuries dominated by France and the 15-16th centuries dominated by Spain. The phrase is used particularly in association with the prediction that the economy of China may overtake the economy of the United States to be the largest in the world. A similar term is China's rise or rise of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–Kenya relations</span> Bilateral relations

China–Kenya relations refer to the bilateral relations between the People's Republic of China and Kenya. The two countries established relations in 1963, suspended ties temporarily in 1967, but ultimately re-established diplomatic relations in 1978. Since then, they have significantly expanded their economic and investment agreements, such that China is currently Kenya's largest trading partner. While the robust trade, investment, and Chinese-led infrastructure projects have benefitted Kenya's overall development and have been labelled by both governments as "win-win" collaborations, local media and foreign analysts have increasingly criticized both the potential consequences of Kenya's loans from China as well as Kenya's overall economic dependence on foreign capital and products. The most ambitious collaboration, the Standard Gauge Rail that was planned to connect Nairobi, Kenya, Uganda, South Sudan, and Rwanda using Chinese financing and contractors, has attracted even more controversy due to financial complications, questions on the legality of its tender process, and the alleged collateralization of Kenya's Mombasa port.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Angola–China relations</span> Bilateral relations

Relations between Angola and China predate the former's independence. Today, they are based on an emerging trade relationship. As of 2021, Angola was China's third-largest trading partner in Africa. The two countries announced a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2024.

The Export–Import Bank of China is a policy bank of China under the State Council. Established in 1994, the bank was chartered to implement the state policies in industry, foreign trade, economy, and foreign aid to other developing countries, and provide policy financial support so as to promote the export of Chinese products and services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sino-African relations</span> Bilateral relations

Sino–African relations, also referred to as Africa–China relations or Afro–Chinese relations, are the historical, political, economic, military, social, and cultural connections between China and the African continent.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameroon–China relations</span> Bilateral relations

China and Cameroon established bilateral relations on March 26, 1971. Cameroon is an adherent to the One China Policy.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–Eritrea relations</span> Bilateral relations

China–Eritrea relations refers to the current and historical relationship between China and Eritrea. Eritrea gained independence from Ethiopia in 1993 and, as of 2007, relations between the two states registered "smooth growth".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">China–Zambia relations</span> Bilateral relations

People's Republic of China – Zambia relations refers to the current and historical relationship between the People's Republic of China (PRC) and Zambia.

The Duke-UNC China Leadership Summit (CLS) is an annual student conference that brings together distinguished student leaders and eminent individuals in the fields of academia, politics and business to examine the rise of China.

Chinese foreign aid may be considered as both governmental (official) and private development aid and humanitarian aid originating from the People's Republic of China.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Belt and Road Initiative</span> Chinas global infrastructure project

The Belt and Road Initiative, known in China as the One Belt One Road sometimes referred to as the New Silk Road, is a global infrastructure development strategy adopted by the Chinese government in 2013 to invest in more than 150 countries and international organizations. The BRI is composed of six urban development land corridors linked by road, rail, energy, and digital infrastructure and the Maritime Silk Road linked by the development of ports.

Debt-trap diplomacy is a term to describe an international financial relationship where a creditor country or institution extends debt to a borrowing nation partially, or solely, to increase the lender's political leverage. The creditor country is said to extend excessive credit to a debtor country with the intention of extracting economic or political concessions when the debtor country becomes unable to meet its repayment obligations. The conditions of the loans are often not publicized. The borrowed money commonly pays for contractors and materials sourced from the creditor country.

Deborah Bräutigam is an American political scientist, currently the Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of Political Economy at Johns Hopkins University and the Director of the China Africa Research Initiative at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. Bräutigam studies international development policies and foreign aid, focusing on Chinese projects in Africa.

Chinese Friendship Farms are part of the agricultural cooperation of the People's Republic of China with many African states. Some of the numerous projects started as development aid, other engagements lost this aspect.

References

  1. Brautigam, Deborah; et al. (April 2016). "How Chinese Money is Transforming Africa: It's Not What You Think" (PDF). SAIS-CARI Brief. 11. Retrieved July 21, 2016.
  2. "2021 Conference - "China's Overseas Lending in Comparative Perspective."". China Africa Research Initiative. 6 April 2021. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  3. "2020 Conference - "Strategic Interests, Security Implications: China, Africa, and the Rest"". China Africa Research Initiative. 22 September 2020. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  4. "2019 Conference - "Catalysts, Competition and Learning: Knowledge, Skills, and Technology Transfer in China-Africa Engagements"". China Africa Research Initiative. 15 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  5. "2018 Conference - "Matters of State"". China Africa Research Initiative. 19 April 2018. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
  6. "2015 Conference". China Africa Research Initiative. 10 April 2015. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  7. "2014 Conference". China Africa Research Initiative. 17 May 2014. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  8. "SAIS-CARI in the News". China Africa Research Initiative. Retrieved 2021-07-09.
  9. Brautigam, Deborah (2019-04-04). "Misdiagnosing the Chinese Infrastructure Push". The American Interest. Retrieved 2019-05-31.
  10. "Xi's Africa tour an opportunity to fortify Chinese economic ties". Axios. Retrieved 2018-12-21.
  11. "Donald Trump's team has questions about China in Africa. Here are answers". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2017-01-30.
  12. "'Will Africa Feed China?', by Deborah Brautigam". Financial Times. 2015-12-30. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  13. "Reuters | Breaking International News & Views". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-05-12.
  14. "About". China Africa Research Initiative. Retrieved 2016-07-22.