China's presence in Africa : an opportunity to be grasped?

Abstract EN

China's emergence as an influential actor in the African continent has been analyzed, extolled and questioned.

Critics have highlighted its more exploitative aspects, while supporters have emphasized the benefits brought by China's presence, considering it as an opportunity that must be grasped by African governments.

A more objective analysis will conclude, as we will see, that China's impact on Africa has been mixed.

There are instances where the Chinese role in the continent is clearly positive and appreciated.

Equally, there are issues where China is sometimes playing an equivocal role, which threatens to unravel some of the positive efforts accomplished until now.