The China in Africa Podcast

Young Africans increasingly see China as an important partner, but their support comes with clear expectations about what that relationship should deliver, according to findings from the recently published 2026 African Youth Survey.
China's infrastructure, investment, and visible economic presence have strengthened its standing, but young Africans increasingly expect that engagement to translate into high-value jobs, industrialization, skills, and greater benefits from the continent's resources.
Ivor Ichikowitz, chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, joins Eric and Cobus to unpack the latest African Youth Survey and what it reveals about a more assertive generation that values China's engagement while insisting that the relationship evolve on Africa's terms.
📌 Topics Covered in This Episode
🇨🇳 Why China resonates with African youth
🌍 Pragmatism over geopolitical loyalty
💼 Demand for better jobs and industrialization
⛏️ Keeping more value from Africa's resources
🗳️ Frustration with governance and political systems
✊🏾 A more confident generation asserting African agency
Show Notes:
The Ichikowitz Family Foundation: 2026 African Youth Survey
South China Morning Post: Practical' young Africans leaning towards China over US and away from ideology by Jevans Nyabiage
Bloomberg: China Bolsters its Influence Over Africa's Youth, Survey Shows by Antony Sguazzin and Rene Vollgraaff
Join the Discussion:
X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth
Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social
Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: 
French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine
Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

China is moving quickly to expand its influence over global governance as the United States steps back from its traditional leadership role. Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping unveiled the World Artificial Intelligence Organization, a new Shanghai-based institution with 29 founding members, most from Asia and Africa, that Beijing hopes will help shape the global rules governing AI.
The new organization is the latest in a series of Chinese initiatives aimed at reshaping the international order to better reflect Beijing's priorities. Through efforts such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and now the WAIO, China is positioning itself not just as a participant in the existing system, but as an architect of new global rules.
Yu Jie, a senior research fellow on China at Chatham House in London, joins Eric to discuss whether Beijing can turn its diplomatic ambitions into lasting influence and why many countries in the Global South are receptive to China's vision.
📌 Topics Covered in This Episode
China's vision for reshaping global governance
Why AI is central to Beijing's diplomatic strategy
The World Artificial Intelligence Organization (WAIO)
Why the Global South is embracing China's initiatives
Can China match its ambitions with resources?
How Beijing's approach differs from the West
Show Notes:
Chatham House: China sets out its vision for a new global order – but will it commit the resources to match its ambition? by Yu Jie
The Diplomat: With New AI Governance Organization, China Seeks to Formalize Its Global AI Influence by Michael Caster
The China-Global South Project: For China, the Race for AI Supremacy Runs Through the Global South by Eric Olander
Join the Discussion:
X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth
Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social
Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: 
French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine
Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

There's growing optimism across Africa, Latin America, and Asia that abundant reserves of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel can fuel a new era of economic development. Determined to avoid the "resource curse" that enriched foreign companies while leaving local populations behind, governments are increasingly moving to ban exports of raw ores and instead promote domestic processing and refining.
It's an appealing strategy, but far more difficult to implement than many realize.
Wei Shen and Anabel Marín, senior research fellows at the Institute of Development Studies in London, argue that processing alone won't transform resource-rich economies. In a new paper, they explain why lasting prosperity depends on building the knowledge, institutions, and technological capabilities needed to move up the value chain. They join Eric to discuss what it will really take for developing countries to turn critical mineral wealth into sustainable development.
📌 Topics Covered in This Episode
Why critical minerals alone won't create prosperity
Can resource nationalism break the resource curse?
Why processing isn't enough to move up the value chain
The role of knowledge and state capacity in development
What China got right in building its mineral industry
How developing countries can capture more value from critical minerals
Show Notes:
WATCH: Critical minerals and development: Breaking the structural impasse with Wei Shen and Anabel Marín
Institute of Development Studies: China's role in critical mineral mining and its impacts by Wei Shen
Institute of Development Studies: Living in a material world: What critical minerals mean for development by Wei Shen and Anabel Marín
Join the Discussion:
X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud | @stadenesque
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth
Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social
Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: 
French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine
Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

There's good news and bad news for African countries in the latest China trade figures released this week. On the positive side, African exports to China surged in May and June, driven by strong demand for oil, metals, and agricultural products. China's new tariff-free policy for African goods is clearly beginning to make a difference.
The downside is that almost all of this export growth came from raw, unprocessed commodities, reinforcing Africa's position at the bottom of the industrial value chain. Today, roughly 90% of Africa's exports to China are raw materials, and the latest trade data shows that pattern remains firmly intact.
There are signs, however, that this could begin to change. Sanusha Naidu, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue in South Africa, joins Eric to discuss how Namibia and other African countries are pressing China to invest in local processing and manufacturing so more value is added before raw materials leave the continent.
📌 Topics Covered in This Episode
China's latest Africa trade figures
Winners and losers from zero tariffs
Beyond raw materials and mining
Namibia's new strategy with China
FOCAC 2027 priorities take shape
Can Africa capture more value?
Show Notes:
South China Morning Post: China's imports from Africa surge after Beijing expands zero-tariff policy by Mia Nurmamat
China Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia on Building a China-Namibia Community with a Shared Future for the New Era
Reuters: China's African Tariff Removals, Trade Surge Spur Yuan Adoption by Duncan Miriri
Join the Discussion:
X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud | @stadenesque
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth
Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social
Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: 
French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine
Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

When China removed import tariffs on goods from all 53 African countries with which it has diplomatic relations earlier this year, many hailed the move as a breakthrough that could boost African exports and help narrow the growing trade imbalance between the two sides.
While tariff-free access makes it easier for African products to enter the Chinese market, experts caution that tariffs are only one piece of the puzzle. The bigger challenge, says Jing Gu, a senior research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies, is ensuring that African exporters are truly prepared to compete in one of the world's most demanding markets.
Jing joins Eric and Géraud to explain why African governments, businesses, and trade institutions need to strengthen their understanding of the Chinese market, build closer commercial relationships, and develop the logistics, distribution networks, and market expertise needed to succeed in China.
📌 Topics Covered in This Episode
China's Zero Tariff Initiative
Market Access vs. Market Readiness
Exporting Successfully to China
Building China Market Expertise
African Trade Policy Gaps
Competing in China's Market
Rethinking FOCAC Trade Priorities
The Future of China-Africa Trade
Show Notes:
Institute of Development Studies: From market access to strategic openness: The new China–Africa business relationship by Jing Gu
South China Morning Post: Coffee, chilies and cashews: a new recipe to spice up China-Africa trade relations by Jevans Nyabiage
The China-Global South Project: China's Zero-Tariff Promise to Africa Masks a Deepening Trade Imbalance by Thierry Pairault
Join the Discussion:
X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud | @stadenesque
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject
YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth
Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social
Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: 
French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine
Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas