Linda Calabrese

Who holds the biggest foreign investment in Africa? Not China The latest "This Week in Macroeconomics" debunks a widespread narrative about FDI in Africa, illuminating underlying data on the continent’s investment landscape. Linda Calabrese draws on recent data ...

Contrary to popular belief, China isn't Africa's largest foreign investor. Data shows Europe, the US & UK lead in FDI stock.

While China's rapid growth & visible projects (often loans!) are key, the full picture is more nuanced.

Read on:

odi.org/en/insights/...

China courts Africa with tariff-free access: a new era of trade, or just the first step? China's new zero-tariff policy for 53 African nations marks a significant step towards rebalancing trade. While boosting China's soft power, this alone won't transform African exports. Addressing non-...

China announced tariff-free access for all imports from 53 African nations. A huge move to address trade imbalances & boost African exports.

But is it truly a new era, or just the first step? My thoughts: odi.org/en/insights/...

#ChinaAfrica #Trade #Africa #GlobalTrade #FOCAC #EconomicDevelopment

Chinese capital and economic transformation in Africa: what has changed after Covid-19? <p xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" dir="auto" id="d70549e94">Chinese capital plays a role in supporting economic transformation in Africa. This briefing analyses how ...

What has happened to Chinese firms in Africa after Covid-19? My new (open access!) article for @roapejournal.bsky.social here:

www.scienceopen.com/hosted-docum...

This is today! Sign up and join us!

🎬 Screening & discussion of Made in Ethiopia, an award-winning doc by Max Duncan & Xinyan Yu on Chinese industrial park in Ethiopia.

📅 12 Feb, 17:15
📍 SOAS KLT

@carlosoya.bsky.social @lindacalab.bsky.social Weiwei Chen

🎟️ Register: shorturl.at/9SU6L
@yunnanchen.bsky.social @eadi.bsky.social

Shein has been in the news as UK MPs have questioned its sourcing practices and its transparency.

How does Shein manage to offer such low prices? It is thanks to its digital platform and its links to efficient producers in China.

My blog with Jiaying Tu discusses this 👇

odi.org/en/insights/...

Innovation in garment manufacturing is not only about production techniques. Shein harnesses the power of data to keep costs and prices down.

This can only exist in mature producers like China, limiting opportunities for new countries to enter the sector.

My blog with Jiaying Tu discusses this 👇

Agreed - environmental (and social) costs of fast fashion are important questions raised by companies like Shein

China ramps up investment in Africa to build a Health Silk Road Beijing wants to boost its influence on the continent by building local healthcare capacity

Is China's investment in African healthcare altruism or a power play?

Our Sr Research Fellow @lindacalab.bsky.social was quoted in a recent article by @hannahcrowe.bsky.social in @telegraphnews.bsky.social, highlighting the need for tangible results on the ground and urges a collaborative approach.

Impact of the Russia–Ukraine war on Africa: policy implications for navigating shocks and building resilience The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war has been felt across Africa through trade disruptions, commodity price increases, and tighter financial conditions. This report synthesises evidence on the war's effects...

Our most downloaded publication of 2024 shines a light on a critical issue: the impact of the Russia-Ukraine war on Africa. 🌍

We identified five policy priorities for African governments to navigate these challenges and build resilience.

Assessing Structural Transformation and the Potential Impacts of Belt and Road Initiative Projects in Africa - The European Journal of Development Research Infrastructure development, central to the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), is crucial for facilitating structural transformation. However, numerous critics contend that the Initiative serves as a tool...

Interesting, tx for sharing! I do love a comparative study

You may also be interested in this work on structural transformation and Chinese infrastructure lending in our special issue on BRI and structural transformation:
link.springer.com/article/10.1...

Starting now!

Consultancy opportunity - apply by 5 January to join TaxDev as a Country Economist in Nigeria.

We are looking for a Country Economist to join #TaxDev – our programme with @theifs.bsky.social that supports effective tax policy-making in low & middle-income countries.

You'll work with analysts and policy-makers in the government of Nigeria. 🇳🇬

Apply by 5 January: https://buff.ly/48orDZW

Distressed LICs need debt relief, not more new debt - OMFIF IMF emphasis on liquidity strains is off target

Critique of new IMF liquidity plan citing @odi.global economist Sherlyn Raga’s work on IMF forecasting errors on recent restructuring as a cautionary tale shorturl.at/R3AAZ