German Construction Companies Struggle to Find a Way to Compete Against Chinese Rivals in Africa

A picture taken on June 14, 2015 shows Chinese labourers working in Algiers at the construction site of the third largest mosque in the area and the largest in Africa. Algeria is building one of the world's largest mosques which officials say will serve as a buffer against radical Islam and crown the legacy of President Abdelaziz Bouteflika. The Djamaa El Djazair mosque is being built facing the picturesque bay of Algiers as part of a complex that will include a one-million book library, a Koranic school and a museum of Islamic art and history. STRINGER / AFP

European leaders have made it very clear in recent weeks that they intend to compete vigorously against Chinese rivals for a larger slice of the African infrastructure construction market.

While that may sound nice, in practice it’s going to be difficult.

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by Eric Olander

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