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The Politics of Chinese Engagement with African Development: Case Studies of Angola and Ghana

The Politics of Chinese Engagement with African Development: Case Studies of Angola and Ghana

Investigators

Giles Mohan, DPP, The Open University

Funding

ESRC funded project (RES-062-23-0487), 30 months, started August 2007

Summary and aims

China's enhanced role within the global economy has profound political implications across the world, but takes a particular form in Africa. Meeting China's increased demand for resources from Africa and expanding her markets also means securing political influence. Over the past few years China has pumped in much aid and technical support to Africa and for the first time since the end of the Cold War African leaders have genuine choices about which aid donors and investors to work with. Given the problems of governance across much of the continent these new economic and political choices will have major impacts on African leaders, political parties, civil society groups and other aid donors.

This research assesses what impacts Chinese aid, trade and investment are having on the politics of specific African countries and the extent to which it excites geopolitical competition. This will be examined through case studies of Angola and Ghana, which represent different examples of China's development 'partnerships' in Africa. Angola possesses oil resources that China desperately needs, whereas Ghana lacks strategic resources, but is an important market and political ally.

Contact

Prof Giles Mohan, giles.mohan@open.ac.uk

Contact us

To find out more about our work, or to discuss a potential project, please contact:

International Development Research Office
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
United Kingdom

T: +44 (0)1908 858502
E: international-development-research@open.ac.uk