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Artwork for The China in Africa Podcast

The China in Africa Podcast

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes755Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentPoliticsNews

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Artwork for The China in Africa Podcast

Latest Episodes

Taiwan President Lai Ching-te was forced to cancel a scheduled visit to Eswatini this week after Mauritius, the Seychelles, and Madagascar revoked Lai's flight permits. Authorities in Taipei immediately accused Beijing of using economic coercion agai... more

China is the indispensable actor in Africa's tech ecosystem. From Huawei's telecom infrastructure to Transsion's dominant smartphone brands and Hikvision's surveillance systems, Chinese technologies are now deeply embedded across the continent, often... more

The U.S. lags far behind China in the race for critical minerals, electric mobility, power generation, and new energy technologies, among others, but, in the view of many in Washington, D.C., there's still time to catch up.

Eric spent a week in the... more

A three-year investigation by the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) and Congolese NGO Premi Congo uncovered severe health consequences for communities living near the Tenke Fungurume Mine (TFM) in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the world's ... more

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Recent Guests

Bulelani Jili
Assistant Professor in Georgetown University Africa Studies program
Georgetown University
Episode: China, Surveillance, and Africa's Digital Transformation
Luke Allen
Senior Africa Program Campaigner
Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA)
Episode: Why Residents Near a Massive Chinese-run Mine in the DR Congo Are Getting Sick
Yan Liang
Professor of Economics at Willamette University, Salem, Oregon
Willamette University
Episode: China's Economic Relationship With Africa Is Entering a New Phase
Maureen Farrell
Non-resident senior fellow at the Atlantic Council; Vice President for Global Partnerships at Valor
Atlantic Council; Valor
Episode: View From Washington: What the US Needs to Do to Re-Engage Africa
Obert Hodzi
Author, United States and Chinese Foreign Assistance and Diplomacy: Aid for Dominance; Lecturer at University of Liverpool
University of Liverpool
Episode: Comparing U.S. and Chinese Aid Strategies in Africa
Santino Regilme
Author, United States and Chinese Foreign Assistance and Diplomacy: Aid for Dominance; Lecturer at Leiden University
Leiden University
Episode: Comparing U.S. and Chinese Aid Strategies in Africa
Nick Niarchos
Author of The Elements of Power: A Story of War, Technology and the Dirtiest Supply Chain on Earth
Author; Now Voyager founder
Episode: Who Controls the Battery Age? Congo, China, and the New Resource Order
Lu Miao
Assistant professor in the Department of Cultural Studies
Lingnan University, Hong Kong
Episode: How a Little-Known Chinese Company Conquered Africa's Cell Phone Market
Yinka Adegoke
Africa editor at Semaphor, formerly of Rest of World and Quartz Africa.
Semaphor
Episode: Why Africa is Now a Key Front in the U.S.-China Rivalry

Hosts

Eric Olander
Co-host with a background in journalism specializing in China and Africa relations.
Cobus van Staden
Co-host with a scholarly focus on Asia-Africa relations and international politics.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 542 ratings
  • 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
  • Cobus the lefty

    Is anything fair in Cobus’ mind? Risk premiums in Africa are unfair? Geeze. I guess a socialist can’t ever fairly analyze a financial transaction but cmon. Maybe Kenya deserves debt relief but not because the situation they got themselves into is unfair.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    lrhhrl
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

The podcast offers insightful conversations exploring contemporary realities and complex China-Africa relations.
Listeners appreciate the hosts' efforts to foster critical thinking about the implications of geopolitical dynamics, despite occasional critiques of political biases.
Listeners value the diverse range of expert guests who provide unique perspectives on pressing geopolitical issues.
The content is informative and challenges prevailing assumptions about China's engagement in Africa, though it can sometimes lean towards U.S.-centric views.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#33
Saudi Arabia/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#76
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#94
South Korea/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#100
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#150
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#165
Brazil/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Who Controls the Battery Age? Congo, China, and the New Resource Order
Q: What is the core thesis of The Elements of Power as it relates to Congo and the global battery supply chain?
The book argues that power, access to resources, and geopolitical maneuvering define who controls the supply chain, with colonial legacies and ongoing state and corporate interests shaping how cobalt and copper are extracted, processed, and traded, often in ways that perpetuate poverty and environmental harm.
Why Private Bondholders Matter More Than China in Africa's Debt Debate
Q: How should Africa think about the rising role of multilateral banks and the so-called net flows picture?
Multilateral banks are becoming more central to development financing as they can leverage capital markets and coordinate among funders, potentially improving accountability and project management, though the overall net inflow has declined as private and bilateral lending retreat.
Why Private Bondholders Matter More Than China in Africa's Debt Debate
Q: David, welcome back to the program. What did you and One.org uncover in The Great Reversal report?
The core finding is a shift away from bilateral and private financing, with multilateral institutions taking on more of a backing role and a substantial increase in private debt, while China's role has moved from a major inflow to a net collector of payments; overall development finance is contracting for low- and middle-income countries.
How a Little-Known Chinese Company Conquered Africa's Cell Phone Market
Q: How does Transsion's marketing approach differ from other companies?
Miao highlighted that Transsion relies heavily on local marketing and has a rural-focused promotional strategy.

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?

A twice-weekly discussion centered on China's multifaceted engagement with Africa and the broader Global South, featuring a mix of political, economic, and cultural insights. The hosts, a journalist and a scholar, cover topics ranging from trade relations and investment strategies to military engagements and climate change initiatives, providing listeners with access to in-depth analysis from a range of experts in related fields. This show also dives into the complexities of U.S.-China rivalry on the continent, illuminating the geopolitical stakes involved in China's expanding influence across Africa. Unique for its focus on the Global South's perspectives and the inclusion of voices from African nations, the content encourages critical thi... 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. Focus on Africa
5. ChinaPower

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

The China in Africa Podcast launched 14 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. Bulelani Jili
2. Luke Allen
3. Yan Liang
4. Maureen Farrell
5. Obert Hodzi
6. Santino Regilme
7. Nick Niarchos
8. Lu Miao

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