China and Africa: What Explains Beijing’s Success on a Continent in Transformation?

China has become Africa’s largest trading partner, a major investor in infrastructure and a key political partner for governments across the continent. From railways and ports to mining, manufacturing and digital infrastructure, China’s presence in Africa has expanded dramatically over the past two decades. Yet despite the scale of this engagement, many questions remain. Why has China been so successful in Africa? What has Beijing understood that others have not? And what lessons does Africa offer for policymakers, businesses and development practitioners seeking to engage with the continent?

In this CKN Knowledge Session, acclaimed author and economist Joe Studwell will explore Africa’s economic transformation through the lens of China’s growing role on the continent. Drawing on insights from his latest book How Africa Works, Studwell challenges conventional narratives about African development and examines why some countries have achieved remarkable economic progress while others continue to struggle.

The discussion will address the factors behind Africa’s economic successes and failures and ask whether the most successful African economies share characteristics with the development trajectories that transformed East Asia, including China. What role do effective state institutions, land policies, industrial development and investment strategies play? And what can comparisons between Africa and Asia teach us about economic development more broadly?

A central focus will be China’s engagement with Africa. What explains China’s ability to build influence across the continent? How have Chinese companies and policymakers adapted to local realities? Which sectors have benefited most from Chinese involvement, and where have expectations fallen short? As geopolitical competition intensifies, understanding China’s position in Africa is becoming increasingly important for European policymakers and businesses alike.

At a time when Africa is becoming an increasingly important arena for global economic competition and geopolitical influence, this session offers valuable insights into the intersection of African development, China’s rise, and Europe’s future role on the continent.

Photo: Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), 3 to 5 Dec 2015” by GovernmentZA, via Flickr, licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0

Preliminary Agenda
15:15 – 15:30 | Doors open
15:30 – 15:35 | Welcome and introduction
15:35 – 16:05 | Presentation by Joe Studwell
16:05 – 16:15 | Discussant Stacey Links
16:15 – 17:00 | Discussion and Q&A
17:00 – 17:45 | Networking drinks