Win-Win or Neo-imperialism? Sino-African Economic Relations in the 21st Century

This essay examines the win-win narrative that China typically deploys to frame economic relations with Africa. Although this cornerstone principle aims to differentiate China’s economic engagements with Africa from the traditional North-South nature of Africa’s economic ties with the West, the problem remains that the narrative fails to admit and address the economic disparities between Africa and China. Fundamentally, Chinese political-economic considerations, not idealistic expectations, are at the core of the win-win narrative that frames economic engagements with Africa. By drawing on existing literature, relevant trade data and development statistics, this paper demonstrates that current economic relations between China and Africa tilt more towards neo-imperialism than win-win. Until this neo-imperial tendency is sufficiently acknowledged and properly addressed, Sino-African economic win-win will remain a myth never to be achieved.