About the Book
In recent years, China and India have become the most important economic partners of Africa and their footprints are growing by leaps and bounds, transforming Africa's international relations in a dramatic way. Although the overall impact of China and India's engagement in Africa has been positive in the short-term, partly as a result of higher returns from commodity exports fuelled by excessive demands from both countries, little research exists on the actual impact of China and India's growing involvement on Africa's economic transformation. This book examines in detail the opportunities and challenges posed by the increasing presence of China and India in Africa, and proposes critical interventions that African governments must undertake in order to negotiate with China and India from a stronger and more informed platform.
What People Have Said About the Book
'The emergence of China and India as key global players propelling what promises to be a new Asian era in world history is widely recognised by scholars as one of the most significant developments of our time. As can be expected, the literature that has mushroomed on the subject is replete with controversy. No where is this controversy more pronounced than with regard to the Chinese and Indian engagement with and in Africa. It is the distinct merit of this book that it eschews propaganda to offer a richly documented, balanced and nuanced analysis of different aspects of the diverse roles which China and India are assuming in Africa. Readers will find the book to be both educative and critical' – Adebayo Olukoshi, Director, African Institute for Economic Development and Planning.
'World hegemonies are shifting from the Atlantic to the Pacific and the Indian Ocean. The rise of China and India, the relative decline of the US and the waning centrality of Europe will all have far-reaching impact on Africa. The new geo-political stratgey of the US expressed openly in the militarisation of the African continent would find the Eastern seaboard of Africa the weakest link in the Indian Ocean rim. Under the circumstances, a deeper understanding of the global situation and its impact on Africa is cricially important. The contributors to this book attempt to provide us with such an understanding. It is most welcome.' – Issa G. Shivji, Mwalimu Nyerere University Professor of Pan-African Studies, University of Dar es Salaam
'A timely work of scholarship that doesn't shy away from hard questions regarding the implications of Asia's rise for African development. It will be welcomed by academics, policy makers and students alike for its clear-eyed analysis, data and comparative insights.' – Chris Alden
'A very valuable addition to a whole series of new and on-going debates about the character of China and India’s engagement with Africa. Its importance is due to the coverage being Pan-African and multi-sectoral, with detailed attention to aid, trade, investment, diplomacy and the global politics of China and India’s presence in Africa. Grounded in the longer-term history of China-Africa and China-India relations, the book also looks head-on at some of their implications for African institutions and African policy, such as the AU, NEPAD and regional economic consortia. This will certainly find its niche in the growing literature about the two ‘Asian Drivers’ and their changing relationships with Africa' – Kenneth King, Emeritus Professor in the School of Social and Political Studies, University of Edinburgh, and formerly Director of its Centre of African Studies.