Chinese investment better than Western aid for Africa
China's investments in Africa are doing more for the continent's development than Western aid programmes, Rwandan President Paul Kagame has said. Current trade flows between China and Africa are estimated to be of over 100 billion US dollars per year.
Kagame told the German business newspaper Handelsblatt that Chinese investments are helping establish African companies and build infrastructure across the continent. He claimed Africa would benefit more from Western aid if it was aimed at enabling trade and assuring African producers had equal access to global markets.
China's activities in Africa have been criticised by some commentators for not promoting good governance and for turning a blind eye to domestic affairs or local human rights issues.
Article published courtesy of Panos London
