There is a popular book that goes by the name 'China's second continent'. The book documents the growing number of Chinese in Africa. The trade between China and Africa has increased so much that China is now Africa's largest trading partner. Everywhere you go in an African country, China is signing up deals with African countries, mostly on raw materials to feed the growing Chinese need for energy to fuel the growing economy. And yet, China offers so many lessons for Africa. By growing double digits for the past thirty years, China has managed to lift more than 300 million people out of poverty. This is a great inspiration for Africa.
However, aside from inspiration, these days, the relationship is turning soar. There are now many more Chinese than African countries can accomodate. In 2012, hawkers in the Kenyan capital Nairobi went on
strike simply because they wanted the Chinese to stop engaging in lowly jobs that the locals were doing. Moreover, in 2013, the former governor of the Nigerian central bank warned that China was dumping goods in Africa, and was not genuinely transferring skills to the locals. In a way then, China was slowly muting the manufacturing sector in the continent.
Another blame for Chinese involvement in Africa has been that China does not care about human rights, but instead only concentrates on business. This has seen the country do business with corrupt regimes, and in the process, slowing down the prospect for good governance in the continent. While China still has an upperhand in trade with Africa, that relationship could soon change.
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