The China in Africa Podcast

Twice-weekly discussion about China's engagement across Africa and the Global South hosted by journalist Eric Olander and Asia-Africa scholar Cobus van Staden in Johannesburg.

The China in Africa Podcast is a news podcast hosted by The China-Global South Project, with 300 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

The China-Global South Project hosts The China in Africa Podcast, a news show with 300 episodes published.

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  Episode #35

  China Is More Popular Than the U.S. in Africa. Here's Why

  Aug 13, 202658 minS16

  China's popularity across Africa remains strong, with new Afrobarometer polling showing Beijing again outperforming the U.S. and Europe in public perception. But those favorable views are far from straightforward, shaped by perceptions of China's development success, frustration with Western powers, and Africans' own experiences with Chinese engagement. Ebenezer Obadare, the Douglas Dillon Senior Fellow for Africa Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, joins Eric & Cobus to unpack what the polling reveals about China's enduring appeal and shifting African views of the U.S. and Europe. Topics Covered in This Episode: Why China remains popular across Africa What Afrobarometer's latest polling reveals Changing African views of the U.S. and Europe ️ The appeal of China's development model How Chinese engagement shapes perceptions Why U.S.-China rivalry isn't zero-sum in Africa Show Notes: Afrobarometer : African insights 2026: Beyond borders: Citizen perspectives on a shifting global order The Africa Report: Poll: US lags behind China in African hearts and minds by Julian Pecquet Foreign Affairs: How China Is Winning Friends and Influencing People by Eric Olander and Lizzi Lee Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

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  Episode #34

  What Africa's Youth Really Want From China, the U.S. and Europe

  Aug 6, 202658 minS16

  Young Africans increasingly see China as an important partner, but their support comes with clear expectations about what that relationship should deliver, according to findings from the recently published 2026 African Youth Survey. China's infrastructure, investment, and visible economic presence have strengthened its standing, but young Africans increasingly expect that engagement to translate into high-value jobs, industrialization, skills, and greater benefits from the continent's resources. Ivor Ichikowitz, chairman of the Ichikowitz Family Foundation, joins Eric and Cobus to unpack the latest African Youth Survey and what it reveals about a more assertive generation that values China's engagement while insisting that the relationship evolve on Africa's terms. Topics Covered in This Episode Why China resonates with African youth Pragmatism over geopolitical loyalty Demand for better jobs and industrialization ⛏️ Keeping more value from Africa's resources ️ Frustration with governance and political systems ✊ A more confident generation asserting African agency Show Notes: The Ichikowitz Family Foundation: 2026 African Youth Survey South China Morning Post: P ractical' young Africans leaning towards China over US and away from ideology by Jevans Nyabiage Bloomberg: China Bolsters its Influence Over Africa's Youth, Survey Shows by Antony Sguazzin and Rene Vollgraaff Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

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  Episode #33

  How China Wants to Rewrite Global Governance

  Jul 30, 202630 minS16

  China is moving quickly to expand its influence over global governance as the United States steps back from its traditional leadership role. Earlier this month, President Xi Jinping unveiled the World Artificial Intelligence Organization, a new Shanghai-based institution with 29 founding members, most from Asia and Africa, that Beijing hopes will help shape the global rules governing AI. The new organization is the latest in a series of Chinese initiatives aimed at reshaping the international order to better reflect Beijing's priorities. Through efforts such as the Global Development Initiative, the Global Security Initiative, and now the WAIO, China is positioning itself not just as a participant in the existing system, but as an architect of new global rules. Yu Jie, a senior research fellow on China at Chatham House in London, joins Eric to discuss whether Beijing can turn its diplomatic ambitions into lasting influence and why many countries in the Global South are receptive to China's vision. Topics Covered in This Episode China's vision for reshaping global governance Why AI is central to Beijing's diplomatic strategy The World Artificial Intelligence Organization (WAIO) Why the Global South is embracing China's initiatives Can China match its ambitions with resources? How Beijing's approach differs from the West Show Notes: Chatham House: China sets out its vision for a new global order – but will it commit the resources to match its ambition? by Yu Jie The Diplomat: With New AI Governance Organization, China Seeks to Formalize Its Global AI Influence by Michael Caster The China-Global South Project: For China, the Race for AI Supremacy Runs Through the Global South by Eric Olander Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

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  Episode #32

  Why Critical Minerals Alone Won't Make Countries Rich

  Jul 23, 202642 minS16

  There's growing optimism across Africa, Latin America, and Asia that abundant reserves of critical minerals like lithium, cobalt, and nickel can fuel a new era of economic development. Determined to avoid the "resource curse" that enriched foreign companies while leaving local populations behind, governments are increasingly moving to ban exports of raw ores and instead promote domestic processing and refining. It's an appealing strategy, but far more difficult to implement than many realize. Wei Shen and Anabel Marín, senior research fellows at the Institute of Development Studies in London, argue that processing alone won't transform resource-rich economies. In a new paper, they explain why lasting prosperity depends on building the knowledge, institutions, and technological capabilities needed to move up the value chain. They join Eric to discuss what it will really take for developing countries to turn critical mineral wealth into sustainable development. Topics Covered in This Episode Why critical minerals alone won't create prosperity Can resource nationalism break the resource curse? Why processing isn't enough to move up the value chain The role of knowledge and state capacity in development What China got right in building its mineral industry How developing countries can capture more value from critical minerals Show Notes: WATCH: Critical minerals and development: Breaking the structural impasse with Wei Shen and Anabel Marín Institute of Development Studies: China's role in critical mineral mining and its impacts by Wei Shen Institute of Development Studies: Living in a material world: What critical minerals mean for development by Wei Shen and Anabel Marín Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

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  Episode #31

  What's Next for China-Africa Trade?

  Jul 16, 202644 minS16

  There's good news and bad news for African countries in the latest China trade figures released this week. On the positive side, African exports to China surged in May and June, driven by strong demand for oil, metals, and agricultural products. China's new tariff-free policy for African goods is clearly beginning to make a difference. The downside is that almost all of this export growth came from raw, unprocessed commodities, reinforcing Africa's position at the bottom of the industrial value chain. Today, roughly 90% of Africa's exports to China are raw materials, and the latest trade data shows that pattern remains firmly intact. There are signs, however, that this could begin to change. Sanusha Naidu, a senior research fellow at the Institute for Global Dialogue in South Africa, joins Eric to discuss how Namibia and other African countries are pressing China to invest in local processing and manufacturing so more value is added before raw materials leave the continent. 📌 Topics Covered in This Episode China's latest Africa trade figures Winners and losers from zero tariffs Beyond raw materials and mining Namibia's new strategy with China FOCAC 2027 priorities take shape Can Africa capture more value? Show Notes: South China Morning Post: China's imports from Africa surge after Beijing expands zero-tariff policy by Mia Nurmamat China Ministry of Foreign Affairs: Joint Statement Between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Namibia on Building a China-Namibia Community with a Shared Future for the New Era Reuters: China's African Tariff Removals, Trade Surge Spur Yuan Adoption by Duncan Miriri Join the Discussion: X: @ChinaGSProject | @eric_olander | @christiangeraud | @stadenesque Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChinaAfricaProject YouTube: www.youtube.com/@ChinaGlobalSouth Now on Bluesky! Follow CGSP at @chinagsproject.bsky.social Follow CGSP in French and Spanish: French: www.projetafriquechine.com | @AfrikChine Spanish: www.chinalasamericas.com | @ChinaAmericas

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