China in Africa: Unlocking a continent of possibility
Friday, June 28, 2019
China's evolving relationship with Africa is not entirely comfortable
Africa is the talk of the town. The past decade has seen the world’s leading economies race to increase their ties with a continent brimming with potential.
And none more so than China. Its sustained courtship of the continent has seen China and Africa bilateral trade and investment reach astronomical levels.
According to 2018 trade figures, China’s trade with Africa totalled US$205 billion. And a recent tweak to their approach promises to enshrine Africa as the continent of opportunity for Chinese companies.
Whilst celebrating milestones in inclusivity, with notably P5 billion awarded to vulnerable groups, the report sounds a 'siren' on a dangerous and growing trend: the ballooning use of micro-procurement. That this method, designed for small-scale, efficient purchases, now accounts for a staggering 25% (P8 billion) of total procurement value is not a sign of agility, but a 'red flag'. The PPRA’s warning is unequivocal and must be...