Opinion
The story behind the emerging strategic Africa China alliance
As to whether the deals are fair is another issue. In contrast, the prevailing western approach through international lenders such as the World Bank or IMF bundles a lot of caveats political and otherwise along with financing.
In this regard the western model is classified as “AID”, hence the conditions. There is a school of thought that sees the western approach as nothing more than a political tool of control as in most cases the conditions tied to the funding are so stringent and impractical that defaulting is almost inevitable thus entrapping the recipient country into a cycle of indebtedness and dependence.
There is little or no oversight enforced on the part of the donors to ensure compliance thus creating an enabling environment for the misuse of the “AID” with impunity.
The donors appear to be in cahoots with corrupt government bureaucrats in the recipient country. To the rank and file African it appears to be one big scam with a lot of talk and promises but little in terms of ascertainable results.
Whereas the Chinese presence in Africa is about 15 years old, their footprint is generally viewed more favorably on the continent as opposed to the western presence which is over 50 years – pouring in far more money with apparently far less tangible results.
The prevailing western view that China does not have Africa’s interest in its dealings and is only interested in obtaining resources at any cost is increasingly being viewed as disingenuous given that western based companies which have a longer history in Africa have been guilty of the same charge resulting in more devastation than China is being accused of.
The main difference this time around is that Africa has options and if handled properly could work in her favor.
