In our first episode of 2023, we look at Africa and the complex role China plays on the continent. A recently published Chatham House report highlights twenty-two African countries suffering from debt distress, with Beijing a key creditor to many. This comes as China’s new Foreign Minister Qin Gang is touring several African this week and next, with visits to Ethiopia, Angola, Gabon, and the headquarters of the African Union.

This week we also hosted Dr Comfort Ero, President of the International Crisis Group, where, in conversation with our own Dr Patricia Lewis, Comfort discussed the ten conflicts to watch in 2023. Our panel look at some of the key conflicts mentioned and how the world is responding to them.

Joining Bronwen Maddox on the podcast this week are Dr Alex Vines, the Director of our Africa programme; Creon Butler, the Director of our Global Economy and Finance programme; Dr Yu Jie, the Senior Fellow on our Asia-Pacific programme, and Armida van Rij, a Research Fellow with the International Security programme.

Read our expertise:

The response to debt distress in Africa and the role of China

Ten conflicts to watch in 2023

Africa in 2023: Continuing political and economic volatility

The Director’s Annual Lecture 2023

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Presented by Bronwen Maddox. Produced by John Pollock. Sound by Abdul Boudiaf and Robin Gardner.