Adept negotiations needed by Africa at FOCAC

This research paper analyzes three major Chinese foreign policy initiatives—the Maritime Silk Road, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and expanded UN peacekeeping contributions—and evaluates their implications for Africa and the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The author argues that while China is increasing its infrastructure and security investments in Africa, particularly on the east coast, the continent remains secondary to China's strategic interests in Asia and Europe.

• China has launched the 'one road-two belts' initiative, which includes the Maritime Silk Road. This economic diplomacy strategy aims to expand land and sea-based development across Eurasia and the Indian Ocean to reach European markets, focusing on interconnecting infrastructure, investment, trade, and the movement of people. To support this, China announced a US$40 billion Silk Road Fund in 2014 and a US$62 billion capital injection into policy banks in April 2015.
• China established the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) in 2014 with an initial US$50 billion, intended to grow to US$100 billion in Chinese capital. The bank focuses on transportation, power generation, and port facilities in the Asia-Pacific region and is perceived as a challenge to the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank. South Africa is one of 20 non-regional members.
• Beijing is increasing its commitment to multilateral peacekeeping, including a September 2015 announcement to provide 8,000 additional troops for UN peacekeeping and a US$1 billion fund for UN peace and development operations. Specifically for Africa, China is providing $100 million to support the African Capacity for Immediate Response to Crisis (ACIRC) and the African Standby Force.
• Chinese investment in Africa is increasingly concentrated on the east coast and the Horn of Africa, with Kenya, Tanzania, and Ethiopia acting as development nodes. Key projects include the rehabilitation of the East African railway from Mombasa to Nairobi and Uganda, port expansions in Dar es Salaam and Bagamoyo, and a proposed oil pipeline and port between Lamu, Kenya, and South Sudan.
• China's strategic interest in Africa is limited compared to its focus on its immediate region, Asia, and Europe. The author suggests that FOCAC may be overshadowed by President Xi's 'One Road-Two Belts' vision. To benefit from China's shift toward outward investment and consumption, African countries must employ adept negotiations and appropriate policy frameworks.

APA

South African Institute of International Affairs (2015). Adept negotiations needed by Africa at FOCAC. https://saiia.org.za/research/adept-negotiations-needed-by-africa-at-focac/

Chicago

South African Institute of International Affairs. Adept negotiations needed by Africa at FOCAC. 2015. https://saiia.org.za/research/adept-negotiations-needed-by-africa-at-focac/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=South African Institute of International Affairs |title=Adept negotiations needed by Africa at FOCAC |date=3 December 2015 |url=https://saiia.org.za/research/adept-negotiations-needed-by-africa-at-focac/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{southafricaninstituteofinternationalaffairs2015adept, author = {{South African Institute of International Affairs}}, title = {{Adept negotiations needed by Africa at FOCAC}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2015}, month = dec, url = {https://saiia.org.za/research/adept-negotiations-needed-by-africa-at-focac/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }