Africa-China

China’s GDP has increased ten-fold over the last three decades. After surpassing Canada, Italy, France and Great Britain, it should soon catch up to Germany. Its influence on the reconfiguration of international dynamics is remarkable and it intends to play a key role. Even though it is not the key issue, Africa is a part of this strategy.

As the third-ranking trading partner, strategic investor, development partner and future financial source, China is shaking up the balance of power established on the continent since independence. The impact is so great that traditional partners – Europe and the United States in particular – are forced to review their relations with Africa. This chapter of the Atlas on Regional Integration in West Africa examines the issues involved in these new dynamics. Contrary to other chapters, it focuses on the entire continent, even though West Africa is studied whenever possible. The Chinese strategy is first and foremost African. It is probable that within a few years, West African particularisms and the much greater presence of China in this region, will justify a more specifically West African focus.