The new Greeks bearing gifts
Mmegi Editor | Wednesday August 2, 2017 11:35
From energy, to health, to infrastructure, climate change, peace, trade, agriculture and even cyber security and biodiversity conservation, China has pledged to stand by Africa as a development partner.
China, one of the world’s fastest growing economies, the principle buyer of all African commodities and the major origin of global tourists, indeed represents an unmissable opportunity for a new growth partner in Africa.
The billions of US dollars in projects unveiled by Chinese president, Xi Jinping under the Forum for China Africa Cooperation are indeed the icing on top of a new deal that many Africans will be angling to benefit from. However, in the midst of the euphoria, a word of caution from a country that has seen the underbelly of the new deal.
It must and cannot be forgotten how billions of Pula from the public purse were spent and lost in contracts to Chinese developers, starting from 2009 with megaprojects such as Morupule B, the expansion of Sir Seretse Khama International Airport and the National Stadium all either incomplete or completed over cost and time.
Besides this, the quality of Chinese projects has been a major headache for Batswana, with local authorities among the loudest complainants.
China wooed Botswana with social development schemes such as “free” schools and health facilities, as sweeteners to the contracts for major works and rightly or wrongly, the blame for shambolic projects has been laid at the feet of Chinese contractors. A more sober analysis also points the finger at inadequate monitoring by government, obscure project briefs and many other systemic weaknesses.
Botswana’s experience with the Chinese largesse is a cautionary tale for the rest of the continent. Even as the Chinese come bearing gifts, it is critical that Africa’s systems and capacity protect its own interests and add value to ordinary citizens.
Quality, labour laws, SHE compliance, anti-corruption and money laundering, repatriation of profits, environmental protection, social impact and the value added over time must be critically analysed before engagement. The same prudence should apply to trade and diplomatic agreements, lest the excitement of the billions of dollars clouds judgments.
The ongoing diplomatic spat with the Chinese over the Dalai Lama can thus also be seen as a test of the lessons learnt in the history of engagement with China. What precedent does kowtowing to China’s demands set? Alternatively, what is the downside of insisting on our sovereignty? What is the upside of opening doors to the spiritual leader?
These questions require sober, unexcited scrutiny, underpinned by the need to protect Botswana’s interests and value add for ordinary citizens.
Today’s thought
“Alliances and partnerships produce stability when they reflect realities and interests.”
– Stephen Kinzer