The U.S.-China Rivalry in Africa: Challenges and Prospects

Abstract

In recent years the African continent, possessing a significant resource, economic and demographic potential, has become a scene of the growing rivalry between China and the United States. On the basis of a wide range of primary sources and recent researches, the author provides an in-depth analysis of both the current state and prospects for interaction between the two powers in Africa. The first section examines the key areas and features of China’s economic activities across the African continent, their trends and scope. The author shows, that among the factors that contributed to the strengthening of the PRC’s economic position in the region was its willingness to provide large loans and take part in ambitious infrastructure projects without imposing political conditions and without interfering in the internal affairs of African states. Such an approach allowed China to supersede the US in a number of sensitive areas (trade, mining of rare earth elements, humanitarian cooperation), as well as to gain the diplomatic support of African states, primarily within the UN. The second section examines ideological and military-political rivalry between the PRC and the United States in Africa. The author emphasizes the lack of consensus in the U.S. expert community on China’s readiness and desire to escalate the Cold War-like confrontation with the United States in Africa. The African states are not prepared for such confrontation either. However, the author concludes that the competition between China and the United States in Africa does not necessarily imply only the logic of confrontation. It is possible to find some common ground, for example, in developing market relations, promoting infrastructure projects, combating piracy, expanding healthcare facilities in the African states, etc. According to the author, such an approach could prioritize the issues of peace and the development of the African peoples.