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The China in Africa Podcast

The China-Global South Project
China
Africa
United States
Global South
Critical Minerals
Belt and Road Initiative
China-Africa Relations
FOCAC
South China Sea
Kenya
South Africa
Climate Change
Zambia
Renewable Energy
Democratic Republic Of Congo
BRICS
Philippines
Geopolitics
Donald Trump
Indonesia

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes755Founded15 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Artwork for The China in Africa Podcast

Latest Episodes

South Africa's exclusion from the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) marks a turning point in its economic relationship with the United States, putting an estimated 100,000 jobs and $1.7 billion in exports at risk. As trade tensions deepen, Pr... more

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South Africa's trade relations with the United States are under strain, threatening its access to the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). As Washington weaponizes tariffs and market access, Pretoria faces mounting pressure to diversify its eco... more

YouTube

Africa is projected to grow by 4.6% in 2026, potentially outpacing China for the first time in decades. But faster GDP growth does not necessarily translate into rising living standards. Resource-dependent economies, persistent extreme poverty and ra... more

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China is deepening its engagement with Africa as geopolitical competition intensifies, with President Xi Jinping meeting the leaders of Botswana and Togo in Beijing. The visits highlight Beijing's sustained diplomatic outreach and growing interest in... more

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Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Ronak Gopaldas
Director at Signal Risk and visiting fellow at the London School of Economics
Signal Risk
Episode: South Africa's U.S. Trade Crisis and China as an Alternative
Jakkie Cilliers
Head of the Africa Futures and Innovation Program at the Institute for Security Studies
Institute for Security Studies
Episode: Africa Is Growing, But Is It Getting Richer?
Ryan Manzuk
Research fellow at Princeton Program on Science and Global Security; co-author of the Nature Communications paper
Princeton Program on Science and Global Security | University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Hidden Uranium in DRC Cobalt Exports to China: Is It a Problem?
Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullahi
President of Somaliland
Somaliland
Episode: China, Taiwan and the Somaliland Question
Joshua Mazurvi
Hudson Institute analyst, advocate for Somaliland recognition
Hudson Institute
Episode: China, Taiwan and the Somaliland Question
Emeka Umejei
Senior Research Associate, University of Johannesburg; visiting scholar at Academia Sinica
University of Johannesburg; Academia Sinica
Episode: Is China Decolonizing African Media or Expanding Its Influence?
Piwa Quere Mnando
Associate Director at the Center for African Studies, Howard University
Howard University
Episode: Africa Buys From China. What Can It Sell Back?
Huiyi Chen
Research and Coordination Analyst at Development Reimagined
Development Reimagined
Episode: Why Namibia's China Strategy Is Worth Watching
Ovigwe Eguegu
Policy Analyst at Development Reimagined
Development Reimagined
Episode: Why Namibia's China Strategy Is Worth Watching

Hosts

Eric Olander
Journalist covering China's engagement in Africa and the Global South
Cobus van Staden
Asia-Africa scholar and head of research at the China Global South Project
Geraud Neema
Africa editor covering China's engagement across Africa

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 553 ratings
  • May 15 Discussion

    Excellent May 15 discussion. Ai will drain fresh water resources from many locations. We are giving it away and will soon learn that corporate control of water is trouble!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Terrilynr
    Canada6 months ago
  • Host quality differences

    I like Gerraud as a member of the team. And he leads some really interesting research on minerals. But he’s just not a very good host. I skip or fast forward through episodes with him alone talking to a guest.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    lrhhrl
    United States2 years ago
  • Overall feeback

    Insightful conversations speaking about today’s realities and challenging our thinking ! 👏🏻

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Sakura.Suzette
    Belgium2 years ago
  • Good Information

    It’s likely to challenge some of your ideas, but the hosts make a real effort to get to the truth about PRC investments in Africa, along with those of the West.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Listener88888
    United States2 years ago
  • Great informative pod cast

    This is a great informative podcast. Can someone tell me did China Africa pod cast stop for a short time?

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Chunkybutt72
    United Kingdom2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Many appreciate expert guests who bring research, regional knowledge and varied perspectives to complex discussions.
Some listeners praise the hosts' preparation and nuanced questioning, while others criticize interruptions and uneven hosting.
Listeners value the detailed, informative coverage of China-Africa affairs and the range of issues addressed.
Opinions differ on political balance, climate coverage and whether some arguments rely too heavily on familiar examples.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#83
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#119
India/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#156
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#160
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#162
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#189
Taiwan/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

South Africa's U.S. Trade Crisis and China as an Alternative
Q: How do you feel other African countries are managing this new geopolitical landscape that is far more contentious than it was even just a few years ago?
Gopaldas says countries should understand their leverage, coordinate where possible and build regional value chains. He highlights the need for industrialization, connectivity, local capabilities and strategic partnerships rather than relying on raw-material exports.
South Africa's U.S. Trade Crisis and China as an Alternative
Q: Tell us a little bit about your perspective on this AGOA situation, the trade with China and Ramaphosa's uncomfortable position that he's now in.
Gopaldas says the issue is about leverage, as the U.S. uses trade and tariffs to seek concessions. Losing AGOA access would harm jobs, though businesses have had time to prepare for the possibility.
Africa Is Growing, But Is It Getting Richer?
Q: So in your prospect, looking into African futures, how do you see Africa moving into that industrialization and manufacturing in a context where China is one of Africa's largest trade partners?
Cilliers says industrialization remains vital, but Africa should improve agricultural productivity, strengthen regional trade and services, expand manufacturing, and create more productive employment.
Africa Is Growing, But Is It Getting Richer?
Q: So I was wondering how you, in your thinking about it, how do you disaggregate growth and prosperity?
Cilliers points to GDP per capita as a useful measure, while emphasizing that population growth can outpace economic growth and constrain investment in education and health.
Is China Decolonizing African Media or Expanding Its Influence?
Q: What motivated you to title the book around influence operations and decolonization?
The author explains that the title reflects investigating whether PRC media engagement in Africa represents genuine decolonization or simply a continuation of power dynamics under a different guise, focusing on how narratives are shaped and by whom.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The China in Africa Podcast

What is The China in Africa Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Twice-weekly analysis of China's relationships with Africa and the wider Global South, combining host-led discussion, roundtables and interviews with researchers, journalists, policy specialists and political leaders. Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden are recurring hosts, joined in some discussions by Africa editor Geraud Neema. Topics include trade and industrialization, critical minerals, debt, diplomacy, media, technology and security, with attention to how African governments and communities shape their own engagement with global powers. Conversations connect current developments to wider questions about development, regional integration and geopolitical influence. The distinctive focus is the intersection of China's global role with Af... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The China in Africa Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The China in Africa Podcast:

1. Sinica Podcast
2. The Horn
3. Pekingology
4. The Foreign Affairs Interview
5. Foreign Policy Live

How many episodes of The China in Africa Podcast are there?

The China in Africa Podcast launched 15 years ago and published 755 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The China in Africa Podcast?

Recent guests on The China in Africa Podcast include:

1. Ronak Gopaldas
2. Jakkie Cilliers
3. Ryan Manzuk
4. Abdirahman Mohammed Abdullahi
5. Joshua Mazurvi
6. Emeka Umejei
7. Piwa Quere Mnando
8. Huiyi Chen

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