The Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) BRICS Research Centre in collaboration with the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and the AUDA-NEPAD yesterday held a virtual symposium on impact of China’s Belt and Road Initiative on the African Continental Free Trade Area’s infrastructure development during the Covid-19 pandemic. One of the points that was emphasized was that it is very urgent for African economies to bolster regional economic integration initiatives to ensure a more efficient intra-African trade in the future. When it comes to Africa, political will and leadership are always in the way, this time around, will they listen to what the academics are saying?
Guest: Dr. Vuyo Mjimba, Chief Research Specialist in the Africa Institute of South Africa program in the Human Sciences Research Council