The recent visit to the United States by China’s President Hu Jintao has an immense significance. It’s now all but official that China has broken America’s position as the world’s top superpower.
Personally, I can no longer ignore China’s contribution to the well being of my own people. Whatever fears and concerns exists about China’s growing influence and economic clout, it is in many eyes providing a credible and more dependable alternative to Africa’s quest for growth.
China’s rise has undoubtedly been greatly propelled by Africa’s vast resources. Throughout the continent, the Asian giant is carrying out a quiet economic revolution to the chagrin of western nations who feel it’s their turf.
Numbers from the Council on Foreign Relations show China’s trade in the continent reached $50bn in 2006, spurring growth in Africa and contributing towards much-needed infrastructure. According to Deborah Brautigan, an expert in Sino-African relations, in 2008 Chinese firms exported more than $50bn in goods to the continent – more than France, the UK, or the United States.
She further said that “the largest and fastest growing sector of Chinese exports to Africa was not textiles and the cheap consumer goods we often hear about, but equipment and machinery.”
Adding bite to these facts, Kenya’s Saturday Nation reports that trade between China and Africa stands at US$115bn per year. It further informed on China’s investment deals with 45 African countries. This growth is on a rapid rise, and stands at 43.5 per cent today. However, the bulk of Chinese investment has been centered in eight countries: Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Tanzania, Algeria, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Sudan. The projects are too numerous to mention.
But why are progressive Africans glad about this proven and dependable alternative? Well, just look at the kinds of project they are helping our people build. China has invested massively in Kenya’s ports. This project is part of a $22bn scheme that includes a rail line and a motorway linking Ethiopia, South Sudan and Rwanda to the port at Lamu.
China’s direct investment in neighbouring Tanzania exceeded $200m by 2009, while in Lagos, Nigeria and China are building one of the biggest free trade zones on the tip of the Lekki Peninsula. This 16,000-hectare zone will develop local manufacturing and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported consumer goods. The free trade zone will help China cut costs to its manufactures for the European market.
Many African countries view Chinese investment as an opportunity and welcome Beijing’s ‘strictly business’ policy of non-interference in domestic affairs. China, meanwhile, sees the importance of Africa’s billion people as a significant market for its growing economic appetite.
At the moment, the policy is working for both sides. We need partnership in trade and science and technology, not dead aid and neo-colonialism. The rise of China is a chance for a paradigm shift in Africa’s quest for development and prosperity for its people. The truth is that most western leaders see Africans as drawers of water and hewers of wood. They are dead wrong.
Author and economist Dambisa Moyo has sketched the threat posed by China to the west if things do not take a turn for the better. The fact is that the new wave of globalisation has made it impossible for Africa to continue to function as the western ‘housewife’.
The continent of Africa is where the future lies and it starts now. As science and technology breaks new frontiers, population ascends and the need for a good life grows, the continent does not want to be left behind. Being conscious of their status as owners of the world’s greatest resources, African countries seek partnership with those willing to share ideas.
This is a clarion call for Europeans to redirect their leaders because they are being misinformed. Facts are there, they cannot be erased.
Ukachukwu Okorie is originally from Nigeria and writes weekly for Metro Éireann. Visit his website at www.olumouka.com
