BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE, alternative development path for Africa

164pp., map, paperback, Pretoria, 2018

The Memorandum of Understanding signed between China and the African Union in January 2015 outlines plans for connecting African countries through transportation infrastructure projects and the creation of an economic land belt that includes countries on the original Silk Road through Central Asia, the Middle East and Europe, as well as a maritime 'road' that links China's ports with the African coast.

Thokozani Simelane is Chief Research Specialist and Acting Director of Research at the Human Sciences Research Council.

Lavhelesani Managa is a researcher in the Science and Technology Research Programme at the Africa Institute of South Africa, Human Sciences Research Council.