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Artwork for The China in Africa Podcast

The China in Africa Podcast

The China-Global South Project
China
Africa
FOCAC
Belt and Road Initiative
Zambia
Ghana
Trade
Global South
Elections
Renewable Energy
Infrastructure
African Diaspora
China-Africa Relations
Debt Management
Galamsey Mining
Illegal Mining
Aisha Huang
Chinese Arms Sales
United States
Sino-Congolese Mining Deal

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.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes755Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
GovernmentPoliticsNews

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Artwork for The China in Africa Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this special year-end edition of The China in Africa Podcast, Eric, Cobus, and Géraud look back on the top stories of 2025 and look ahead to the key trend to watch in 2026.

📌 Topics covered include:

• Simandou goes online (Guinea) and the i... more

YouTube

Every year, illegal mining, fishing, and logging drain billions of dollars from West Africa's economies as the problem persists largely unchecked, with Chinese actors playing an outsized role. Fueled by chronic corruption among local regulators acros... more

Africa's industrialization push is colliding with the defining economic question of this era: how can any country or region climb the manufacturing value chain so long as China dominates industrial production of pretty much, well, everything?

But ... more

The U.S. and the DR Congo signed a landmark deal on critical minerals during President Félix Tshisekedi's visit to the White House this week. The pact provides the U.S. with extraordinary access to the Congolese mining sector and is widely expected t... more

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Recent Guests

Caroline Costello
Assistant Director of the Atlantic Council's Global China Hub
Atlantic Council
Episode: China's Outsized Role in West Africa's Illegal Resource Trade
Joshua Eisenman
Professor of Politics at the Keogh School of Global Affairs at the University of Notre Dame and a senior fellow for China Studies
University of Notre Dame
Episode: China's Outsized Role in West Africa's Illegal Resource Trade
Carlos Oya
Professor of Political Economy of Development at the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London
University of London
Episode: China's Role in Africa's Industrialization: Obstacle, Partner, or Both?
Anika Patel
China Analyst at Carbon Brief
Carbon Brief
Episode: China at COP30 and the New Politics of Climate Change
Innocent Batsani-Ncube
Senior Lecturer and Associate Professor in African Politics
Queen Mary University of London
Episode: How China Uses Parliamentary Buildings to Build Influence in Africa
Dan Wang
Author of 'Breakneck: China's Quest to Engineer the Future'
Episode: Is China's "Engineering State" the New Development Model for the Global South?
James Kynge
Multi-award-winning journalist and author of Global Tech Wars
Chatham House
Episode: Why China's Ability to Make a $6 Toaster is a Big Problem for the Global South
Aggrey Mutambo
Africa Editor at the Daily Nation in Kenya
Daily Nation
Episode: How China Changed Its Image in the African News Media
Gregory Chin
Senior Fellow at Boston University's Global Development Policy Center and Associate Professor of Political Science at York University.
Boston University
Episode: China's Evolution from "Rules Taker" to "Rules Maker" in Development Finance

Host

Eric Olander
Journalist specializing in China-Africa relations and co-host, providing valuable insights based on his expertise in international relations.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 533 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 States8 months ago
  • Overall feeback

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

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Sakura.Suzette
    Belgium8 months 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 States10 months 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 Kingdoma year 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.

Insightful conversations that challenge conventional thinking about China-Africa relations.
The podcast covers a wide range of issues related to China in Africa, making it a must-listen for interested professionals.
Hosts are knowledgeable and well-prepared, leading to engaging discussions.
Critiques mention a perceived American-centric viewpoint in some discussions, which may limit the diversity of perspectives.
Overall, listeners find the podcast informative, providing clarity on complex global issues.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#30
Taiwan/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#30
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#70
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#146
Philippines/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#190
Brazil/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#217
Taiwan/News

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

China's Role in Africa's Industrialization: Obstacle, Partner, or Both?
Q: What role do you see Chinese manufacturing engagement in Africa going forward?
The future of Chinese manufacturing in Africa will depend on various factors, including policy mechanisms and the nurturing of domestic industries.
China's Role in Africa's Industrialization: Obstacle, Partner, or Both?
Q: What are the challenges facing African countries in terms of industrialization?
African countries must contend with infrastructure deficits, governance issues, and the historical context of deindustrialization.
How China Uses Parliamentary Buildings to Build Influence in Africa
Q: Why don't they build their own parliament?
African governments often prioritize the relationship with China over their own agency, even when they have the resources to build their own parliamentary buildings.
Is China's "Engineering State" the New Development Model for the Global South?
Q: What do you mean by saying that forced technology transfers actually stifle innovation?
Forced technology transfers can hinder innovation, as companies may not share their most advanced technologies, leading to limited growth.
Is China's "Engineering State" the New Development Model for the Global South?
Q: How much of what you saw and what you outlined in the book do you think is unique to China and how much of it do you think could be exported to other developing countries?
China's model has elements continuous with East Asian development traditions, but skepticism exists about how much can realistically be exported to other countries today.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

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?

Focused on the multifaceted engagement between China and African nations, the content explores various aspects such as economic relationships, infrastructure projects, and geopolitical dynamics. Episodes feature in-depth discussions on China's role in climate negotiations, the influence of Chinese investment in African infrastructure, and the evolving narratives in African media regarding China. This show uniquely combines expertise from journalists and scholars, providing listeners with valuable insights into how China shapes developmental policies and relationships in the Global South. It presents a nuanced view of the challenges and opportunities arising from these engagements, making it a vital resource for anyone interested in the inte... 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. Pekingology
3. ChinaPower
4. ChinaTalk
5. Focus on Africa

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. Caroline Costello
2. Joshua Eisenman
3. Carlos Oya
4. Anika Patel
5. Innocent Batsani-Ncube
6. Dan Wang
7. James Kynge
8. Aggrey Mutambo

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