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Author: Cliff Mboya

Dr. Cliff Mboya is a journalist and researcher with more than 10 years of experience in research and reporting. He completed his Ph.D. in international politics from Fudan University in Shanghai in 2020 where he analyzed China’s public diplomacy initiatives in Africa. He holds an M.A in Development Communication from the University of Nairobi where he wrote about China’s media portrayal in Africa using China Daily as a case study. He has a bachelor’s degree in international relations and journalism minor from the United States International University. He has produced editorial content in both local and international media outlets such as Daily Nation, The Standard, The People, Capital FM, Diplomat East Africa magazine, and various digital outlets. He started his career as an intern at the Ministry of foreign affairs in Kenya; worked as a part-time reporter at Diplomat East Africa magazine; joined the Chinese embassy in Kenya as an information and public affairs officer and worked as a China-Africa analyst and consultant after his PhD. He is also a research fellow at the Afro Sino Centre of international relations (ASCIR).

Africa’s Muted Response to Wang Yi’s Tour

Despite the importance of Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi’s visit to Kenya, Eritrea and the Comoros this week, African media coverage of the tour remains surprisingly scant. In the week after his visit was announced, very little has come from these countries in terms of agenda-setting, and ...

Don’t Worry Africa… China Isn’t Going to Seize Your Assets, But They’re Also Not Going to Forgive Your Debts

There is a sense of anxiety over Chinese debt in several African countries and beyond. From Zambia to Kenya, Uganda, and now even in the small Balkan country of Montenegro. Repeated assurances from China and borrowing countries that the debt situation is under ...

Why China will Probably Sidestep Calls for Sahel Involvement

The Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) kicked off in Dakar, Senegal with huge expectations. As usual, there was a lot of talk about trade, investment, and other perennial Africa-China discussion points. More surprising was the call from Senegalese Foreign Minister ...

Why African Countries Can’t Rely on China to Fix The Trade Imbalance

It is beyond doubt that two-way trade will feature heavily in next week’s FOCAC ministerial meeting in Dakar, Senegal as China has already announced plans to further open its market for more African products. While this is a welcome move that will go a long way in ...

FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: Appeals For More People-to-People Ties and For Mutual Respect Between Chinese and Africans

Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

Great Changes Unseen in a Century (and Frequently Ignored Now)

Big things are happening in the world, but don’t expect me to tell you what they are. 

Like many South Africans, I’ve been a little distracted these days. The country’s notorious electricity situation has worsened to blackouts three times a day. People like me, whose work depends on internet access, migrate across the city every few hours to cafes and other workplaces that still have power. All the time, Johannesburg ...

FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: What’s Next For China’s Commitment to African Media Development, Climate-friendly Infrastructure, and Resources-for-Infrastructure Deals?

Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...

FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: Because of Everything That’s Going on in the World Today, Africa Will Actually Have More Leverage at FOCAC

Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...

This Year’s FOCAC Should Focus on Development Projects That Are Both Economically and Environmentally Sustainable

Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar. If you ...

FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: If China Wants to Improve Its Standing With African Publics, It Should Promote Transparency and Insist on the Publication of Loan Contracts

Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar.  If ...

FOCAC PERSPECTIVES: Hoping the Journalists Do a Better Job Covering FOCAC And Avoid All Those “Tired Tropes”

Every day leading up to the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation conference on November 29th and 30th, CAP will feature perspectives from journalists, academics, activists, and business leaders about what they hope will emerge from the FOCAC event in Dakar.  If ...
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