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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
Renewable Energy
Elections
Global South
Trade
Infrastructure
African Diaspora
China-Africa Relations
Debt Management
Aisha Huang
Galamsey Mining
Illegal Mining
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.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes755Founded14 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
PoliticsNewsGovernment

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Artwork for The China in Africa Podcast

Latest Episodes

For decades, the United States was the dominant provider of aid and humanitarian assistance to African countries. That changed last year with the closure of USAID. Washington now says it wants to prioritize trade over aid and is pursuing a more trans... more

The U.S., Japan, and other G7 countries are scrambling to secure critical minerals to end their reliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains. Every week, there's news of another mining deal for cobalt, lithium, and other resources essential to poweri... more

For more than a decade, the dominant Western narrative about Chinese lending to African countries has focused on the purported "debt trap."

But the data tells a very different story.

David McNair, executive director of Global Policy at ONE.org, ... more

Shenzhen-based Transsion Holdings is now a massive Chinese technology company that few people outside of Africa and certain parts of Asia have heard of. Even in China, the brand, now the world's 5th-largest mobile phone producer, remains largely unkn... more

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Recent Guests

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
Andy Browne
Managing editor of Semaphor, previously the China editor at the Wall Street Journal.
Semaphor
Episode: Why Africa is Now a Key Front in the U.S.-China Rivalry
Paa Kwesi Wolseley Prah
Postdoctoral fellow in the Department of Government and International Affairs at Lingnan University in Hong Kong.
Lingnan University
Episode: China's Expanding Military Engagement Across Africa
Judd Devermont
Operating partner at Kupunda Capital and senior advisor at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, previously the top African policy official in the National Security Council during the Biden administration.
Kupunda Capital, Center for Strategic and International Studies
Episode: Africa and the New World Order: U.S. Pulls Back and China Moves Forward
Liu Zongyuan
Maurice R. Greenberg Senior Fellow for China Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations and Senior Research Scholar at the Institute for Global Politics at Columbia University
Council on Foreign Relations
Episode: China's Place in the New Post-American International Order
Ovigwe Eguegu
A policy analyst at Development Reimagined
Development Reimagined
Episode: Why Wang Yi Chose Somalia, Ethiopia, Tanzania & Lesotho for His 2026 Africa Tour
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

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 537 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 States10 months 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 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.

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
#95
Hong Kong/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#128
China/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#143
Israel/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#148
South Africa/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#163
Singapore/News/Politics
Apple Podcasts
#218
Finland/News/Politics

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
How a Little-Known Chinese Company Conquered Africa's Cell Phone Market
Q: What aspects contributed to Transsion's success in Africa?
Lu Miao explained that Transsion's design practices and extensive distribution network played significant roles.

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. The China-Global South Podcast
2. The Foreign Affairs Interview
3. Economist Podcasts
4. Ones and Tooze
5. The Intelligence from The Economist

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. Nick Niarchos
2. Lu Miao
3. Yinka Adegoke
4. Andy Browne
5. Paa Kwesi Wolseley Prah
6. Judd Devermont
7. Liu Zongyuan
8. Ovigwe Eguegu

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