Humboldt University Economic Forum Berlin, 11 May 2011 I. INTRODUCTION After four decades of sluggish economic activities, improved macroeconomic conditions, better business climate, political and currency stability, and a burgeoning middle class have triggered economic growth in many African countries. Telecom, banking, and retail are flourishing. Construction is … [Read more...] about Africa : Economic growth and sustainability
Berlin
QUESTIONS ON THE FUTURE OF CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION
China’s burgeoning relationship with Africa is being decried in some quarters, including western observers – and some Africans, too – as a new form of colonialism. Such criticism is largely misplaced. First, after having preached the globalisation tenet of economic liberalisation and free competition, the West cannot really grumble about being outbid by China in the race for … [Read more...] about QUESTIONS ON THE FUTURE OF CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION
Regulating China-Africa cooperation imbalances
Oxford University China-Africa Network The Oxford University China-Africa Network (OUCAN) with the support of the Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC) present The Conference on "Chinese Investment and African Agency" hosted by the Department of Politics and International Relations, University of Oxford 11-12 March 2011 Regulating China-Africa cooperation … [Read more...] about Regulating China-Africa cooperation imbalances
CURRENCY WAR CLOUDS OVER AFRICA
As a result of chronically deficient demand in the aftermath of the 2008-2009 financial and economic crises, global imbalances are on the rise again, as is the risk of protectionism. The US accuses China of undervaluing its currency to support its industry. The situation could lead to an “international currency war”. What does this herald for African countries? If history … [Read more...] about CURRENCY WAR CLOUDS OVER AFRICA
Currency war : the stakes for Africa
A weaker exchange rate makes a country’s exports cheaper, potentially boosting a key source of growth for economies battling to find growth, as they emerge from the 2008-2009 credit crunch and economic crisis suffering from chronically deficient demand. Global imbalances are on the rise again, as is the risk of protectionism. Western countries are battling to keep their … [Read more...] about Currency war : the stakes for Africa
CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION – THE STAKES
China-Africa Civil Society Dialogue : Development Challenges in Africa and the Chinese Development Experience Beijing, P.R. China, October 18th -19th , 2010 For most of the past five decades African countries were locked out of international capital markets. As a result, they have largely been spared the twin woes of the 2008 financial turmoil and subsequent world economic … [Read more...] about CHINA-AFRICA COOPERATION – THE STAKES
CHINA – AFRICA : Matching China’s activities with Africa’s needs
The Heinrich Böll Foundation (HBF) Regional Office for East & Horn of Africa, Nairobi, and Fahamu Kenya brought together Chinese experts on Africa and representatives of African civil society organizations, providing a platform to exchange views and perceptions, and discuss areas of concerns to both sides, based on various country and thematic case studies. I. CHINA’S … [Read more...] about CHINA – AFRICA : Matching China’s activities with Africa’s needs
China’s Grand Africa Strategy
Ever since the Berlin conference of 1883, which Belgium’s King Leopold II called “the sharing of Africa’s cake,” the West has assumed exclusive rights over sub-Saharan Africa. But, while centuries of struggle to end colonial rule and apartheid have not changed this much, now Western influence is being challenged by China, which likewise covets Africa’s rich reserves of minerals … [Read more...] about China’s Grand Africa Strategy
China explosive drive into sub-Saharan Africa
Ever since the Berlin conference in 1883 in what Leopold II, the king of Belgium, had dubbed “the sharing of Africa’s cake”, Western countries tend to have assumed exclusive rights over the countries of sub-Saharan Africa. Centuries of struggle for political and economic freedom to free themselves from colonial rule, remove apartheid and win their independence did not change … [Read more...] about China explosive drive into sub-Saharan Africa
CAPITALISM IN CRISIS
Marxist economics made the withering away of the state its ultimate goal. However, it is the unabated liberalisation of the world economy, which is translating the old socialist dream into a disquieting reality. It needed the combination of three ingredients to make this twist of history possible. First, there was Nixon's decision in 1972-73 to end the dollar-gold link, which … [Read more...] about CAPITALISM IN CRISIS