Q&A
Matt Ferchen
{
"authors": [
"Matt Ferchen"
],
"type": "legacyinthemedia",
"centerAffiliationAll": "",
"centers": [
"Carnegie Endowment for International Peace",
"Carnegie China"
],
"collections": [
"China and the Developing World"
],
"englishNewsletterAll": "",
"nonEnglishNewsletterAll": "",
"primaryCenter": "Carnegie China",
"programAffiliation": "",
"programs": [],
"projects": [],
"regions": [
"Southern, Eastern, and Western Africa",
"East Asia",
"China"
],
"topics": [
"Economy"
]
}
Source: Getty
In The Media
The Danger of Too Much Chinese Debt in Africa
Analysis of China’s investment decisions in Africa can be informed by the debt crises of Venezuela and other high-risk countries in the Global South.
By Matt Ferchen
Published on Jul 3, 2016
Source: China Africa Project
Under the auspices of One Belt, One Road (OBOR) and the Chinese government’s ‘Go Out’ overseas investment strategy, the country’s economic footprint in Africa is undeniably growing. That said, it is difficult to identify the pace at which investment is growing, how it compares to investment streams from other countries, and to what extent it is benefiting the general public in African countries. This podcast episode seeks to parse truth from myth and determine just how much China is investing in the economies of African countries and the liabilities of the resulting debt.
Carnegie–Tsingua’s Matt Ferchen joins Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden to discuss China’s loan practices in financing infrastructure projects in Africa.
This podcast was originally published by the China Africa Project.
About the Author
Matt Ferchen
Former Nonresident Scholar, Carnegie-Tsinghua Center for Global Policy
Ferchen specializes in China’s political-economic relations with emerging economies. At the Carnegie–Tsinghua Center for Global Policy, he ran a program on China’s economic and political relations with the developing world, including Latin America.
- How China Is Reshaping International Development
- Why Unsustainable Chinese Infrastructure Deals Are a Two-Way StreetArticle
Matt Ferchen, Anarkalee Perera
Recent Work
Carnegie does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.
More Work from Carnegie Russia Eurasia Center
- How Trump’s Wars Are Boosting Russian Oil ExportsCommentary
The interventions in Iran and Venezuela are in keeping with Trump’s strategy of containing China, but also strengthen Russia’s position.
Mikhail Korostikov
- Does Russia Have Enough Soldiers to Keep Waging War Against Ukraine?Commentary
The Russian army is not currently struggling to recruit new contract soldiers, though the number of people willing to go to war for money is dwindling.
Dmitry Kuznets
- Japan’s “Militarist Turn” and What It Means for RussiaCommentary
For a real example of political forces engaged in the militarization of society, the Russian leadership might consider looking closer to home.
James D.J. Brown
- A New World Police: How Chinese Security Became a Global ExportCommentary
China has found a unique niche for itself within the global security ecosystem, eschewing military alliances to instead bolster countries’ internal stability using law enforcement. Authoritarian regimes from the Central African Republic to Uzbekistan are signing up.
Temur Umarov
- Is There Really a Threat From China and Russia in Greenland?Commentary
The supposed threats from China and Russia pose far less of a danger to both Greenland and the Arctic than the prospect of an unscrupulous takeover of the island.
Andrei Dagaev
