The Belt and Road Institute in Sweden (BRIX) hosted a webinar featuring African experts to discuss China-Africa relations in 2025 and beyond, and the importance of the Belt and Road Initiative for Africa’s development. The webinar was held on the occasion of the tour conducted by China’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, to four African countries, which is part of a 35-year tradition of Chinese foreign ministers visiting African nations at the beginning of each year. This highlights the importance of Africa for China’s foreign policy and economic policy. This relationship has grown even more in significance after the United States and EU governments raised the level of tension and trade wars with China. China has been reorienting towards the Global South to mitigate the effects of this negative and zero-sum geopolitical strategy by the West.
Speakers were Mr. Ikenna Emewu, Director of Africa-China Press Centre in Nigeria, Dr. David Monyae, Associate Professor of Political Science and International Relations and Director for the Centre for Africa-China Studies (CACS) at the University of Johannesburg, Mr. Ahmed Moustafa, Director of Asia Center for Studies and Translation in Egypt, Mr. Martin Camara, economic and strategic analyst from Guinea, Hussein Askary, Vice-chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden, and Mr. Stephen Brawer, Chairman of the Belt and Road Institute in Sweden.
The speakers presented a wide range of analysis and information about the scope and future potential of Africa’s economic and social development in light of the Belt and Road strategy and national and regional development strategies. A thorough discussion was also triggered by questions from the audience on the impact of the new American Administration under Donald Trump on China-Africa relations. The response of the African speakers was quite surprising and counterintuitive.
In addition, speakers presented views and ideas on developing Africa-EU relations and why it is beneficial for Europe to collaborate with African nations and China to build the Belt and Road to contribute to resolving a panoply of economic, social, and security issues facing the European continent. Immigration, for example, which is the talk of the day in the EU and the U.S. can only be dealt with in a constructive manner through the economic and social development in Africa.
Watch the full recording of the presentations and Q&A session here!
Related items:
High-Level BRIX seminar in Stockholm “The New Africa Emerging” along the Belt and Road