Africa urged to seek broad-based economic empowerment in China ties
China is now the largest investor in Africa, writes Johan Hanekom, an expert on strategy, innovation and growth. However, Hanekom points to the fact Chinese nationals own 90% of the firms receiving investment. For the China-Africa partnership to thrive, and prevent economic colonisation, corruption and violence must be tackled, language and cultural barriers addressed, and better wealth distribution sought. He urged African countries receiving aid from China to develop political and economic structures and strategies that ensure broad-based economic empowerment, which will in turn promote political development and better international trade relations, he said.
China has catapulted from being a relatively small investor in the continent to becoming Africa’s largest economic partner. Africa-China trade is poised to grow 20% year on year making it seem like dragons are the new king of the African jungle.

Investment in Africa has however been structured around Chinese ownership, with roughly 90% of firms either majority controlled or owned outright by Chinese nationals. There are estimated to be over 10,000 Chinese firms in Africa that have created work for several million Africans. This economic stimulus continues to have significant economic impact in communities riddled with historic economic disparities.