Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

China’s Mixed Success With Media Influence in Africa

Bob Wekesa, longtime Africa-China scholar and deputy director of the African Centre for the Study of the United States at Wits University, (left) spoke with Paul Nantulya (right), research associate at the Africa Center for Strategic Studies in Washington.

Although now more than a decade old, China’s large media presence in Africa remains poorly understood on the continent and by most foreign observers.

While investment to expand TV broadcaster CGTN, China Daily and China Radio International’s footprint on the continent stalled shortly after Xi Jinping took power in 2012, the Chinese are still very active in distributing CPC propaganda through free licensing arrangements with African media outlets and sponsoring dozens of African journalists and editors to travel to China each year on all-expense paid trips.

Lead the Conversation on China

Subscribe Today to Get Full Access to The China-Global South Project

Check Out Everything You'll Get With Your Subscription

The China-Global South Daily Brief delivered to your inbox at 6AM Washington time

Full access to exclusive news and analysis from editors based in the Global South

Transcripts of CGSP’s twice-weekly podcasts

Students and teachers with a valid .edu email address are eligible for a 50% discount off monthly or yearly subscriptions. Email us to receive a discount code.

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.