Beijing will increase sway over African policymaking

Subject

Outlook for Beijing's influence on African policymakers.

Significance

Chinese and African companies have in recent days finalised 17 billion dollars' worth of deals, media reported on August 5. Beijing's impact as a investor and donor, however, obscures other ways in which it is growing its influence in the region, notably by providing technical policy assistance and training, which African governments eagerly receive in the hope of mimicking China's development model.

Impacts

• Authoritarian regimes will likely cite China's control of the media to justify clampdowns on critical journalists and activists.
• ZANU-PF will use Chinese-sponsored grassroots training opportunities to mobilise support ahead of the 2018 election.
• China's growing policy influence in Africa will not deter -- and may even encourage -- Sinophobia in the wider population.