The China Africa Research Initiative at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies is a research program dedicated to understanding the political and economic aspects of China-Africa relations. Launched in 2014, it is based at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. SAIS-CARI is focused on producing and promoting high quality, well-researched, and data-backed analysis of the relationship between China and African countries. It also specializes in conducting evidence-based analysis, fostering collaboration, and training future leaders to understand the economic and political dimensions of China-Africa relations and their implications for human security and global development. The Initiative is directed by Dr. Deborah Bräutigam, SAIS Professor of Comparative Politics and Director of the International Development Program. She is the author of Will Africa Feed China?, The Dragon's Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa, and the blog "China in Africa: The Real Story." Both of Bräutigam's books use extensive fieldwork and on-the-ground evidence to challenge conventional wisdom on China's relationship with African countries.
Research
SAIS-CARI's areas include Chinese agricultural investments in Africa, Chinese hydropower finance in Africa, the flying geese model in African industries, Chinese loans to Africa, and Chinese FDI and structural transformation in Africa. The research is grounded in both quantitative data collection and analysis as well as qualitative field research. As a result, SAIS-CARI has created several rigorously cross-checked on various aspects of Chinese activity in Africa. Of note, in April 2016, the Initiative launched its exclusive database of Chinese loans to African countries. The findings of this database have been featured in NPR, The Economist, and The New York Times, among other media outlets.
Conferences
Annual Conferences
2019 – "Catalysts, Competition and Learning: Knowledge, Skills, and Technology Transfer in China-Africa Engagements", April 15–16, 2019
* Presenters representing institutions such as the Tsinghua University, Tufts University, and the World Bank Group discussed knowledge transfer in entrepreneurship, special economic zones, the manufacturing sector, FDI, and infrastructure.
2018 – “Matters of State: Politics, Governance, and Agency in China-Africa Engagement”, April 19–20, 2018
* The event featured researchers and practitioners from the University of Oxford, Harvard Kennedy School, University of Dar es Salaam, and Africa's Asian Options, among others. Panels discussed the relationship between China, Africa, and the West, African agency and strategic bargaining, leadership, civil society, and state capacity.
2016 – "Orient Express: Chinese Infrastructure Engagement in Africa", October 13–14, 2016
SAIS-CARI publishes policy briefs, working papers, briefing papers, and economic bulletins on a range of topics concerning the growing relationship between China and Africa. The publications can be found on .
Policy Briefs (Selected)
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Working Papers (Selected)
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Briefing Papers and Economic Bulletins
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Funding
Financial support
Current funding
SAIS-CARI currently receives support from Carnegie Corporation of New York to develop a database to track Chinese finance and investments in Africa; construct and maintain the CARI website; publish newsletters, working papers, and policy briefs; host conferences, roundtables, and workshops; and fund the CARI fellowship program for scholars, journalists, researchers and practitioners. SAIS-CARI also receives support through a grant from the UK's Department for International Development and the Economic and Social Research Council for a on "evidence-based analysis of technology transfer, linkages, learning, and spillovers associated with Chinese investment in African manufacturing, agribusiness, and construction industries."
