GLOBAL CHINA INITIATIVE
The Global China Initiative (GCI) advances policy-oriented research on China’s overseas economic activity and engagement with international institutions in order to enable financial stability, human well-being and environmental sustainability.
GLOBAL CHINA RESEARCH SPOTLIGHT
A new update to the Chinese Loans to Africa (CLA) Database, managed by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, estimates that from 2000-2023, Chinese lenders provided 1,306 loans amounting to $182.28 billion to 49 African governments and seven regional borrowers.
In 2023, Chinese lenders issued 13 new commitments with a value of $4.61 billion to eight countries and two regional financial institutions. This represents the first time the annual loan amount to Africa has risen since 2016 but is far below the early years of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), in which cumulative commitments surpassed $10 billion annually.
A new policy brief analyzes the state of Chinese lending to Africa ahead of the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, taking place in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024.
Explore the Data Read the Policy BriefExplore the research
Latest News & Publications
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The Political Economy of Variations in Energy Debt Financing by Two Chinese Policy Banks in Africa
January 14, 2025The African continent faces a multifaceted challenge regarding its energy policy. To bolster economic industrialization and improve livelihoods, leaders seek energy solutions with low carbon... [ More ]
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The Mosaic of Energy Debt Financing from Chinese Policy Banks in Africa: How and Why One Is Greener than the Other
January 14, 2025By Tianyi Wu African leaders face significant challenges in energy policy as they strive to implement low-carbon energy solutions while expanding electricity access to around 600... [ More ]
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Around the Halls: A Year in Review and Look Ahead to 2025
December 18, 2024The most notable milestone of 2024 was the 80th anniversary of the Bretton Woods institutions of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), World Bank and World... [ More ]
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Webinar Summary: China’s Global Energy Finance Database – Data Update, 2000-2023
December 11, 2024By Thang Ha On November 14, 2024, the Boston University Global Development Policy (GDP) Center hosted a webinar on the latest data and trends in China’s... [ More ]
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Acting in Parallel on Debt and Development before It is Too Costly and Too Late
November 26, 2024Emerging market and developed countries must meet their shared climate and development goals to avoid the catastrophic costs of inaction. Yet, the International Monetary Fund... [ More ]
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China’s Creditor Diversification in Africa: Impacts and Challenges of Infrastructure Debt-Financing by Chinese Commercial Creditors
November 20, 2024Chinese overseas lending has drawn attention for their support to developing countries in infrastructure development, as well as growing criticism for sovereign debt impacts. However, the... [ More ]
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Political Coalitions for the Energy Transition? How Foreign Companies are Shaping Renewable Energy Policymaking in the Global South
November 18, 2024By Ishana Ratan Low- and middle-income countries face the dual goals of decarbonization and development. It might be expected that among these countries, those with a higher... [ More ]
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Chasing the Sun: The Political Economy of Solar Investment in the Global South
November 18, 2024Foreign direct investment is often cited as critical for renewable energy growth in low- and middle-income countries. However, despite the promise of foreign investment, countries like... [ More ]
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FAQs: The Chinese Loans to Africa Database
November 18, 2024By Diego Morro From 2000-2023, China’s development finance institutions (DFIs), the China Development Bank (CDB) and the Export-Import Bank of China (CHEXIM), and other Chinese commercial... [ More ]
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‘Small’ Belt, ‘Beautiful’ Road: China’s Cautious Return to Global Energy Finance
November 05, 2024A new update to the China’s Global Energy Finance (CGEF) Database, managed by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, estimates that from 2000-2023, China’s... [ More ]