"Infrastructure Diplomacy in Africa: Comparing EU and Chinese Infrastructure Initiatives" - by CWP alum Maria Adele Carrai

The global infrastructure gap in the Global South, particularly Africa, has led to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) becoming a significant development finance source, causing concern among Western countries. To counter this, the US and EU have launched initiatives like Build Back Better World (B3W) and Global Gateway. This chapter examines the BRI and Global Gateway, proposing recommendations for the EU and US to succeed in Africa. Key suggestions include avoiding zero-sum thinking, clarifying initiative complementarity, promoting higher standards involving China, transitioning from aid to investment, and fostering equal partnerships. The chapter highlights the importance of better coordination between Western countries and China, efficient resource allocation, and addressing the real needs of the developing world.

https://doi.org/10.53121/ELFS6 • ISSN (print) 2791-3880 • ISSN (online) 2791-3899

Maria Adele Carrai is an Assistant Professor of Global China Studies at NYU Shanghai. Her research focuses on East Asia’s international law history and China’s influence on global norms and power distribution. She co-leads the research initiative ‘Mapping Global China’ and has authored Sovereignty in China (CUP, 2019) and co-edited The China Questions 2 (HUP, 2022).

Photo Credit: https://pixabay.com/users/portraitor-13619724/