FOCAC<\/a><\/strong> should express a broader strategic approach towards Asia as a whole, taking into account strategic partnerships with Japan (TICAD) and India (IAFS), which would call for more and better coordination of Africa's external partnership commitments.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChina has taken a leading role in Africa, <\/strong>becoming one of the main foreign investors on the continent. Its economic expansion, focused on infrastructure and urban development, is rapidly changing the face of African cities. However, this process also presents challenges of integration with the local context and requires a broader African diplomacy towards Asia to maximise the benefits of these partnerships.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Belt and Road Initiative<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), known in Italian as the New Silk Road<\/strong>, is a strategic initiative launched by the People's Republic of China in 2013, under the leadership of President Xi Jinping. It aims to improve trade and infrastructure links between China and numerous countries in Eurasia, Africa and beyond through significant investments in infrastructure such as roads, railways, ports and energy facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Objectives and Structure<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe BIS has two main strands:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nThe Terrestrial Silk Road<\/strong>It comprises a network of 'land bridges' that facilitate trade between China and Europe, passing through countries such as Pakistan and Russia.<\/li>\n\n\n\nThe Maritime Silk Road<\/strong>It aims to develop maritime routes connecting China with Europe and East Africa.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\nThe initiative envisages investments estimated at over USD 1 trillion, involving some 68 countries, representing more than half the world's population and a significant portion of the global gross domestic product.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Economic and Geopolitical Implications<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe BRI is not only an economic project, but also has significant geopolitical implications. It could enable China to strengthen its influence in strategic regions, promoting trade and cultural ties while reducing dependence on sea routes controlled by powers such as the United States<\/strong>. Critics of the initiative the see as a form of neo-colonialism<\/strong>in which China exerts political influence on developing countries through loans and investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Collaborations and Agreements<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nIn 2019, Italy became the first G7 country to sign a memorandum of understanding with China on the BRI<\/strong>paving the way for a series of agreements in various fields, including technology, energy and culture. These agreements aim to facilitate cooperation between Chinese and Italian companies, as well as to promote cultural and scientific exchanges.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn summary, the Belt and Road Initiative represents an ambitious attempt by China to expand its economic and political influence globally through a vast programme of infrastructure investments and international collaborations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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<\/span>Investment sectors in Africa: Comparison between China and Europe<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nIn recent years, both China and Europe have intensified their investments in Africa, but the sectors in which they focus differ significantly. This article analyses the main sectors attracting European versus Chinese investments, highlighting the strategies and priorities of each actor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Chinese investment sectors in Africa<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nChinese investments in Africa are mainly oriented towards:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nInfrastructure<\/strong>China has invested heavily in the construction of roads, railways, ports and other essential infrastructure. In 2020, 29% of China's loans in Africa were for transport, followed by 25% for the energy sector and 11% for the mining sector.<\/li>\n\n\n\nMining sector<\/strong>China is very active in the mining sector, investing in projects to extract minerals essential for the global energy transition, such as lithium and cobalt. These minerals are crucial for the production of batteries and other green technologies.<\/li>\n\n\n\nEnergy<\/strong>: Chinese investments in the energy sector include both renewable energy and fossil fuel projects. China has financed numerous solar and wind power plants, but also continues to invest in oil and gas.<\/li>\n\n\n\nInformation and communication technology (ICT)<\/strong>: Companies such as Huawei have established a significant presence in Africa, contributing to the development of telecommunications and digitisation on the continent.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nBetween 2000 and 2019, Chinese public and private creditors lent USD 153 billion to African governments and state-owned companies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Annual foreign direct investment (FDI) flows from China increased gradually between 2000 and 2021, reaching USD 5 billion in that year.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Between 2017 and 2020, China was the largest investor in Africa by jobs and capital and the third largest by number of projects; in this three-year period, 20% of African capital came from China.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Chinese investments focus on large infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, ports and telecommunications as part of the Belt and Road Initiative.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Beijing involved both large African corporations and state-owned companies as well as small and medium-sized enterprises.<\/li>\n\n\n\n Priority sectors as mentioned above include energy, environment, information and communication technology (ICT).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<\/span>European investment sectors in Africa<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nEuropean investments, on the other hand, focus on different sectors, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\nAgri-food sector<\/strong>: The European Union is Africa's first trading partner in the agricultural sector, with a strong focus on sustainable agriculture and food security. This sector represents a strategic opportunity to improve living conditions and promote rural development.<\/li>\n\n\n\nHealth<\/strong>: In recent years, Europe has increased investment in the health sector, recognising the importance of a sound health infrastructure for sustainable growth. Initiatives such as the European Commission's Global Gateway aim to support health development in Africa.<\/li>\n\n\n\nGreen technologies and sustainability<\/strong>: Europe is investing in projects related to renewable energy and environmental sustainability, seeking to promote environmentally friendly practices and reduce the environmental impact of economic activities in Africa.<\/li>\n\n\n\nTraining and skills development<\/strong>European investments also include vocational training and skills development programmes aimed at improving the local workforce and promoting youth employment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\nUntil the pre-Covid era, the European FDI<\/strong> characterised between 40 and 50% of the total investments in Africa.<\/li>\n\n\n\nHowever, recent years have seen a slowdown in European investments and a decrease in their specific weight compared to other international players.<\/li>\n\n\n\n France, Great Britain and the Netherlands are among the main European investors in Africa.<\/li>\n\n\n\n The EU is trying to revive its presence with initiatives such as the Global Gateway programme, which aims to mobilise EUR 150 billion of investment in Africa between 2021 and 2027.<\/li>\n\n\n\n The Gulf countries, in particular the United Arab Emirates, have also significantly increased their investments in Africa in recent years, focusing on sectors such as renewable energy and green hydrogen.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\nWhile China has taken the lead in investing in Africa, especially in infrastructure and large-scale projects, Europe is trying to revive its presence with new initiatives, but has yet to catch up with other international players such as China and the Gulf countries.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Key differences between Chinese and European investments<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSector<\/th> Chinese investments<\/th> European Investments<\/th><\/tr><\/thead> Infrastructure<\/td> High priority, with focus on transport and energy<\/td> Present, but less centralised than in China<\/td><\/tr> Mining sector<\/td> Strong focus on minerals and resources<\/td> Less focused, more on agriculture<\/td><\/tr> Energy<\/td> Investment in renewables and fossil fuels<\/td> Greater emphasis on renewable energy and sustainability<\/td><\/tr> ICT<\/td> Telecommunications development and digitisation<\/td> Present, but with focus on sustainability and training<\/td><\/tr> Health<\/td> Limited investments<\/td> High priority, with focus on health infrastructure<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n