Franklin Amuakwa-Mensah, Luleå University of Technology, is a co-author of a chapter in the EBA’s anthology, “China as a Global Development Actor: Transforming the International Aid Landscape”. In the clip below, he talks about his chapter, written in collaboration with Assem Abu Hatab of the Nordic Africa Institute and SLU.
The chapter examines China’s role in African agriculture today. One conclusion is that African countries need a clearer direction: more defined priorities, firmer rules and greater autonomy. By coordinating their efforts – supported by frameworks such as Agenda 2063 and the AfCFTA free trade area – they can make their relationship with China more sustainable and beneficial to both sides. This requires African governments to think and act in new ways, and for traditional partners such as Sweden to adapt their own engagement accordingly.