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

Climate Change

South Africa

Kenya

Zambia

Renewable Energy

Brics

Democratic Republic Of Congo

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.

548 ratings

Publishes	Weekly	Episodes	755	Founded	15 years ago
Number of Listeners		Categories	PoliticsGovernmentNews

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Guests Hosts Reviews Charts Talking Points

Latest Episodes

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

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 infrast... more

Yesterday • 57 min

How China Wants to Rewrite Global Governance

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 Shang... more

30 Jul 2026 • 30 min

Why Critical Minerals Alone Won't Make Countries Rich

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 co... more

24 Jul 2026 • 41 min • Most popular

What's Next for China-Africa Trade?

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. Chin... more

17 Jul 2026 • 44 min

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Recent Guests

Yu Jie

Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House in London

Chatham House

Episode: How China Wants to Rewrite Global Governance

Wei Shen

Senior research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies

Institute of Development Studies

Episode: Why Critical Minerals Alone Won't Make Countries Rich

Anabel Marín

Senior research fellow at the Institute of Development Studies

Institute of Development Studies

Episode: Why Critical Minerals Alone Won't Make Countries Rich

Jing Gu

Senior Research Fellow and Director of the Center for Rising Powers and Global Development

Institute of Development Studies, London

Episode: Africa's China Trade Challenge Isn't Market Access. It's Market Readiness.

Sailor Miao

Associate program manager, AidData tracking underreported financial flows

AidData

Episode: Kenya's China Debt Restructuring Explained

Oshin Pandey

Associate program manager, AidData tracking underreported financial flows

AidData

Episode: Kenya's China Debt Restructuring Explained

Géraud Nima

Africa editor joining from Mauritius

China Global South Project

Episode: Africa Is Closing The Door On Taiwan

Dan Kobayashi

Geopolitical risk consultant, former State Department analyst

Independent, Expatriarch Substack

Episode: Former State Department Insider on Washington's Muddled Africa Policy

Zainab Usman

Senior research scholar and managing director of international programs at the Center on Global Energy Policy, Columbia University

Columbia University / Center on Global Energy Policy

Episode: How the US Is Trying to Challenge China's Critical Mineral Dominance

Hosts

Eric Olander

Co-host and journalist covering China-Africa dynamics with CGSP/CTV network presence.

Cobus van Staden

Co-host and CGSP Head of Research; Africa-China specialist.

Géraud Nima

Africa editor and CGSP contributor focusing on Africa-China relations.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 548 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
Canada3 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 Statesa year ago
Overall feeback
Insightful conversations speaking about today’s realities and challenging our thinking ! 👏🏻
Apple Podcasts
4
Sakura.Suzette
Belgiuma year 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 Statesa year 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

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Listeners Say

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

High-quality, data-driven discussions; some episodes polarize opinions depending on guest.

Guests are strong, but some listeners feel US-centric bias at times.

Hosts deliver incisive coverage of China's Africa engagement with a global South focus.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts	#249	Germany/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#86	Russia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#100	South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#111	Netherlands/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#125	China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts	#134	Singapore/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

How China Wants to Rewrite Global Governance

Q: Does China want to create a new Sinocentric Order that might not replace the United States as hegemon but place China closer to the center of global decision making?

Yu Jie argues that China seeks to leverage its normative power to craft new vocabulary and standards in global governance, while recognizing that tangible outcomes and resource commitments matter. She suggests a balance of aspirational leadership with pragmatic, targeted action, and cautions that expectations must be managed as the current system evolves.

How China Wants to Rewrite Global Governance

Q: Why was this white paper, in your view, important?

She identifies three reasons: it signals China's attempt to fill the space of global governance previously led by Western powers; it pushes for a holistic approach that includes participation by the Global South in setting rules; and it aims to reform rather than dismantle existing international architecture, positioning China more as a status quo power with a developing-country pathway to modernity.

How China Wants to Rewrite Global Governance

Q: Give us your reaction to it and how does it fit within this larger picture of trying to reshape international norms and governance?

Yu Jie explains that China is using the white paper to tentatively fill gaps in global governance, taking a holistic approach that involves the Global South, and emphasizes a move toward normative power and inclusive rules rather than dismantling the UN system. She notes that while there is nothing entirely new, the packaging signals a strategic shift toward broader participation and governance reform.

Former State Department Insider on Washington's Muddled Africa Policy

Q: What was the underlying strategy for Africa under the Trump administration, and was there a coherent plan beyond episodic actions?

The guest suggests there was no overarching strategy; rather, policymakers relied on tactics without a durable framework, and strategic thinking often lagged behind episodic moves.

China's Economic Relationship With Africa Is Entering a New Phase

Q: Give us the thesis of what you were trying to accomplish.

The episode explores how China's lending and investment patterns in Africa have evolved from traditional bilateral loans to include multilateral channels, on-lending through development banks, and yuan-denominated financing, while considering debt sustainability, regional development, and Africa's capacity-building needs to leverage continued Chinese engagement.

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?

This program centers on China's role in Africa and the Global South, blending policy analysis, on-the-ground reporting, and deep dives into debt, trade, infrastructure, and minerals. Episodes frequently explore how governance, development finance, and strategic partnerships shape outcomes, with provocative debates about debt sustainability, aid narratives, and the politics of energy and technology transfer. A distinctive pattern is the mix of veteran hosts, regional experts, and think-tank guests who challenge conventional wisdom with data-driven scrutiny and diverse regional perspectives, offering readers a nuanced lens on global power shifts and regional strategies.

Listeners can expect rigorous conversations, a preference for practical ... 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. Into Africa
3. Pekingology
4. ChinaPower
5. Asia Geopolitics

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. Yu Jie
2. Wei Shen
3. Anabel Marín
4. Jing Gu
5. Sailor Miao
6. Oshin Pandey
7. Géraud Nima
8. Dan Kobayashi

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