ABSTRACT
Africa has served as an arena for competition between Western powers for centuries. The liberalisation of the global economy has paved the way for new economic powers, especially China, to create linkages with Africa. The historical rivalry between China and Japan has been extended to sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), motivated by the search for strategic raw materials and a market for investments and manufactured goods. The two countries’ overtures in Africa form part of the broader strategy to build their global status. In the quest to expand their influence in global affairs consummate with their status, the two Asian giants have also sought political allies and military ties in Africa. According to Dr Ahmed Heikal, Chairman and Founder of Citadel Capital, ‘Africa is the story. The big story is Africa. The Chinese and Japanese are fighting over Africa. This is a market of a billion people, of natural resources’ (Gundan, 2014). The chapter starts with the discussion of diplomacy as a means for nurturing relations with Africa by China and Japan, followed by China’s and Japan’s policy towards Africa. In addition, an examination of the institutional framework for building relations is undertaken. Then the nature of economic relations with a focus on investment, trade and foreign aid; whether Africa benefits from China-Japan competition; challenges such a rivalry poses for Africa; and what Africa needs to do to maximise benefits from the competition are explained.
