Lamido Sanusi, the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, wrote in a recent article for the Financial Times that China’s approach to Africa embodied “the essence of colonialism” – the export of manufactured goods and the import of primary resources. China is a “significant contributor to Africa’s deindustrialisation and underdevelopment”, he said. I disagree: the relationship is actually mutually beneficial.
There are at least four areas where China’s actions have been of benefit to both sides: skills, trade, industrialisation and energy. Let’s take them in turn.
First, skills and the exchange of knowledge. It is a common complaint that Chinese companies in Africa import equipment and labour from home. But the Chinese government stresses that it encourages Chinese companies to use local equipment and labour.