Week 2
China is finding its economic place in Africa. The two articles, ‘China in Africa’ and ‘China denies building an empire in Africa’ show that China is winning the hearts of African leaders in terms of business deals. Today, China engages in activities such as infrastructure building, exports of heavy machinery, and importation of food from Africa. Countries such as Chad, Kenya, Gabon, Libya, and Liberia benefit from Chinese infrastructure funding (Alessi & Xu, 2015). However, this does not come without certain challenges. China is blamed for coming with its workforce to African hence denying Africans the opportunity to earn a living. Additionally, some countries have suffered substandard products from China and are starting to reject their services and products into their countries. Smith reveals the debate that faces the African leaders at the moment (2015). Evidently, China is an aggressive country when it comes to economic competitiveness. However, some US leaders believe that it has no morals and has placed its focus on Africa for the purpose of its primary benefit.
Week 3
The relationship between Ethiopia and China started in mid-1990s when Ethiopia was in need of financial help. Today, Ethiopia cannot do without China since it offers the country grants that are used for infrastructure development. For example, China is involved in building the new AU conference center (Shinn, 2014). The Chinese offered Ethiopia $20 million grant as well as a Chinese-style garden. The relationship between China and Ethiopia is a good example of globalization. Globalization increases the opportunities for countries to expand to foreign markets. From the ‘Globalization and the poor’ video, Krisztina Kis-Katos outlines the benefits that come with globalization. James Sun, on the other hand, reveals that association between countries is a factor that every country must consider for it to remain on the top (2012). According to James, countries that are opened up benefit financially, in infrastructure development, as well as socially. Shared knowledge is essential for business and development.
Week 4
China continues to dominate in Africa as a business partner; however, this domination comes with several challenges. Over the years, Ghana has engaged in business with one of the world super powers; China. Despite the few benefits, Ghana and other countries in the world remain uncertain on the benefits brought forth by this partnership. Firstly, the economy of China remains in dictatorship closed up in secrecy (ABS Staff, 2013). As it engages with countries such as Ghana, China offers huge funding programs that cannot be compared to IMF. This leaves a lot to be desired in its business deals. In addition, thousands of Chinese nationals have faced deportation for illegal gold mining in Ghana (Hirsch, 2013). This appears to have strained the relationship between China and Ghana hence tightening the allocation of visas for Ghanaian nationals in the Chinese embassy. China also forces its way into the world stock market (Soll, 2015).
Week 5
Africa has diverse economic opportunities. These range from partnering up with economic superpowers like China to opening up its doors for grants. Apparently, Africa has great potential. It can arise from poverty and flourish just as the other economies in the world. Africa must embrace globalization and change in its economic view. Okonjo believes that trade is more important than aid for the African countries. Aid will keep these countries at the same level while trade will ensure progress of the same. The economies of the world are built through trade as much as there is need for aid for the ailing economies.
References
ABS Staff (2013). China’s Heavy Investment in Ghana Ignites Debate. http://atlantablackstar.com/2013/08/25/chinas-trade-with-ghana-eclipsed-that-of-the-us/David H. Shinn
Alessi, C. & Xu, B. (2015). China in Africa. https://www.cfr.org/china/china-africa/p9557
Hirsch, A. (2013). Ghana deports thousands in crackdown on illegal Chinese gold miners. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/jul/15/ghana-deports-chinese-goldminers.
Krisztina, K. (2014, December 1, 2014). Globalization and the poor – a look at the evidence. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dIldvz0jygE
Shinn, D. (2014). Ethiopia and China: When Two Former Empires Connected. International Policy Digest. https://intpolicydigest.org/2014/06/11/ethiopia-and-china-when-two-former-empires-connected/
Smith, D. (2015). China denies building empire in Africa. The Guardian. https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2015/jan/12/china-denies-building-empire-africa-colonialism
Sun, J. (2012, December 22). Diversity and Globalization: TEDxBayArea Ignite. TEDx Talks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-K_bYQ11DE
Soll, J. (2015). China: The new Spanish Empire? The Chinese crisis has important echoes of the Soviet Union and 16th-century Europe. And history tells us the outlook isn’t pretty. https://www.politico.com/agenda/story/2015/08/china-the-new-spanish-empire-000211