CHINA–AFRICA CO-OPERATION BEYOND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF CHINESE AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA

The document examines China's shift from extractive industries toward diversified economic co-operation in West Africa, specifically in agriculture. It contrasts Chinese assistance with Western aid, highlighting a 'win-win' South-South model based on China's own domestic agricultural success. While traditionally focused on technical assistance and food crops, recent trends show an increase in state-owned enterprise (SOE) involvement in cash crops and biofuels. The authors recommend that China focus on equitable investments and that West African governments encourage agro-industrial upgrading to add value to the regional agro-business chain.

• China's agricultural assistance to Africa is significantly smaller in scale than that of traditional Western donors. Between 2009 and 2012, China provided approximately $130 million in agricultural assistance to African countries, whereas DAC countries contributed $3 billion in 2012 alone.
• Evidence suggests that China is not using African agricultural resources primarily to feed its own domestic market. Most of China's agricultural imports from Africa are cash crops such as oilseed, silk, and cotton.
• China's agricultural model for Africa is based on its own domestic success, having achieved 95% food self-sufficiency in 30 years and feeding 20% of the world's population using only 9% of the world's arable land.
• In West Africa, Chinese intervention has transitioned from a primary focus on technical assistance and food crops for local markets (such as cassava, sugar, and rice) toward cash crops and biofuels led by state-owned enterprises (SOEs).
• Chinese assistance in West Africa is delivered through various channels, including bilateral financial assistance via MOFCOM, the establishment of agricultural technology demonstration centres in Ghana, Benin, Liberia, and Guinea-Bissau, and multilateral partnerships with the FAO and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.
• The primary financial instruments for Chinese co-operation have shifted from zero-interest loans to concessionary loans issued by the China Development Bank and EXIM Bank, with an average rate of 2.85%.
• China faces significant challenges in scaling up agricultural projects in West Africa, particularly regarding processing activities, due to regulatory issues, social resistance, and the low capacity of the local workforce.

APA

SANTI, E., & WEIGERT, M. (2015). CHINA–AFRICA CO-OPERATION BEYOND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF CHINESE AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Policy-Insights-30.pdf

Chicago

SANTI, EMANUELE, and MAXIME WEIGERT. CHINA–AFRICA CO-OPERATION BEYOND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF CHINESE AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2015. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Policy-Insights-30.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=SANTI |first1=EMANUELE |last2=WEIGERT |first2=MAXIME |title=CHINA–AFRICA CO-OPERATION BEYOND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF CHINESE AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=30 November 2015 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Policy-Insights-30.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{santi2015chinaafrica, author = {SANTI, EMANUELE and WEIGERT, MAXIME}, title = {{CHINA–AFRICA CO-OPERATION BEYOND EXTRACTIVE INDUSTRIES: THE CASE OF CHINESE AGRICULTURAL ASSISTANCE IN WEST AFRICA}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2015}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Policy-Insights-30.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }