After several years of declining funding, the African end of the Belt and Road Initiative seems to be roaring back. The newest Griffith University/Green Development Finance Center data on the Belt and Road Initiative shows that engagement with Africa jumped by 395%, while a few big projects boosted engagement in Nigeria alone more than twelvefold.
These shifts indicate a window of opportunity for African electrification. 60% of Africans still ...
Category: Deals
U.S. Agrees Trade Deal with Philippines Amid Geopolitical Tension
U.S. President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social account that the United States will impose 19% tariffs on the Philippines, slightly reduced from the 20% he threatened earlier. The U.S. will have tariff-free access to the Philippine market.
How China Pays to Shape the Narrative in East Africa
In this new era of reduced advertising and declining readership, East African newspapers, such as The Star in Kenya, are thrilled when entities like the Chinese government approach them for long-term paid partnerships. Last week, the paper signed a year-long deal ...
Looking Beyond Mining in the Africa-China Relationship
Last week’s China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Changsha, Hunan province drew very little press attention, but it gave a glimpse of the growing centrality of agricultural trade to the Africa-China relationship. The event delivered 176 new project deals worth $11.39 billion. The number ...
Africa-China Trade Fair Delivers $11.39 Billion in Deals
The fourth annual China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) concluded on Sunday with deals signed for 176 new projects, worth a total of $11.39 billion. The number of deals jumped by 45.8%, while the total value increased by 10.6% since the previous fair in 2023. ...
China and Kenya Seal Pharma Deal
China and Kenya have reportedly signed a deal worth about $500 million to set up local vaccine and pharmaceutical production facilities using Chinese technology. Aden Duale, the Cabinet Secretary for Kenya’s Ministry of Health, said that the planned facilities would strengthen ...
Analysis from Cobus van Staden
China, Indonesia Sign Broad Cooperation Agreements
Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto signed memoranda of understanding this weekend, which could result in broad-based cooperation. They pledged to work together on boosting tourism, agricultural exports, traditional and contemporary medicine, investment, and media collaboration. This cooperation ...
Silk Road Redux: China’s Strategic Leap into the South Caucasus
Less than a year after signing a strategic partnership with Azerbaijan in 2024, China and Azerbaijan elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership during Azerbaijani president’s recent state visit to Beijing. The move goes far beyond simple ceremonial diplomacy—it's a deliberate reinforcement of China's ...
Xi and Lula Pledge to Guard Global Order
Chinese President Xi Jinping met with Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva on Tuesday, as numerous Latin American leaders gathered in Beijing for a ministerial meeting between China and the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States. The ...
Brazil’s Lula Clinches Deals in Beijing
Brazil announced a currency swap agreement with the People's Bank of China for $27.69 billion over five years. The announcement comes as $4.5 billion in trade and investment deals were signed. These include a $881.6 million deal for the delivery service Meituan ...
Chinese President Xi Jinping’s Moscow Visit a Signal to Global South
Chinese President Xi Jinping is visiting Russia from 7 to 10 May. He will be one of the most prominent guests at the May 9 Victory Day parade marking Russia’s victory in World War II. He will also meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and will ...
ASEAN-China Free Trade Agreement Will Be Finalized Soon: PM
Malaysia’s Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said on Monday that talks to upgrade a free trade agreement (FTA) between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will be finalized soon. Malaysia currently chairs the regional grouping. The 3.0 version of the ...
Pressure Increases on Panama Ports Deal
Both China and the United States are ramping up pressure around the mooted sale of two ports in Panama owned by the Hong Kong-based conglomerate CK Hutchison to a consortium led by the U.S. investor BlackRock. Uncertainty around the deal rose this weekend when Trump posted a demand ...