Year: 2024

Relative Risk and the Rate of Return: Chinese Loans to Africa Database, 2000-2023

A new update to the Chinese Loans to Africa (CLA) Database, managed by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, estimates that from 2000-2023, Chinese lenders provided 1,306 loans amounting to $182.28 billion to 49 African governments and seven regional borrowers. In 2023, Chinese lenders issued 13 new commitments with a value of $4.61 billion […]

Africa Takes the Wheel: The Role of Host States in Shaping Outcomes of Chinese-Supported Power Generation Projects in Africa

Chinese companies have installed over 25 GW of generation capacity in Africa, making up more than 15 percent of sub-Saharan Africa’s installed generation capacity. Despite their undeniable contribution to the power sector in sub-Saharan Africa, the price and investment outcomes of these projects have varied. Chinese companies have been observed to construct both low- and […]

Driving Change: The Role of African Host States in Shaping Chinese-Supported Power Projects

By Naa Adjekai Adjei In the last 10 years, Chinese companies have significantly transformed Africa’s infrastructure, particularly in the energy sector. However, when examining Africa-China engagement, research has predominantly focused on China’s influence, with limited attention given to the role of African host states in shaping project outcomes. My new working paper with the Boston […]

In Photos: The Inaugural Global China Fellows Summit in Hong Kong

By Angie Ye The Boston University Global Development Policy Center (GDP Center) hosted the inaugural Global China Fellows Summit from July 11-13 in Hong Kong. The Summit brought together over 30 former, current and incoming Global China Fellows, GDP Center staff and researchers and other key stakeholders to collectively discuss a policy-oriented research agenda that […]

China-Latin America and the Caribbean Economic Bulletin, 2024 Edition

Over the last year, Latin American and Caribbean (LAC) governments took intentional steps forward in their relationships with China, with frequent visits to discuss the important emerging sectors, such as telecommunications and renewable energy supply chains. Concurrently, while lower-technology mineral and agricultural commodities continue to dominate LAC exports to China, Chinese firms operating in LAC […]

Chinese Investment in Africa: A Double-Edged Sword for Low-carbon Industrialization

By Keyi Tang, Solomon Owusu and Gideon Ndubuisi China’s economic ties with Africa have grown significantly since the early 2000s. China is currently the largest bilateral trading partner and top export destination for most countries in Africa, and since 2013, China has become the largest bilateral provider of foreign direct investment (FDI) to Africa. However, […]

Chinese Ties and Low-carbon Industrialization in Africa

Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000 and the China-Africa Development Fund in 2006, China’s economic ties with Africa have grown and deepened significantly. However, China’s deepening connections and in particular, its foreign direct investment (FDI), in Africa have been the subject of discussion regarding their composition, goals, nature and implications […]

Rhetoric or Reality? Accounting for Diversity at College Career Fairs

By Neha Gondal A college degree pays, but where one goes to college also makes a huge difference to lifetime earnings. Attending elite schools significantly increases one’s chances of obtaining a well-paying job and, hence, economic and social success, which reproduces existing disparities. Accordingly, college career fairs, which expose students to potential employers, serve as […]