African Agency in China – Africa Relations: An Analysis of Engagements under the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Framework

Research on China-Africa relations is dynamic and evolving. Several China-Africa relations luminaries have attempted to analyze Beijing‟s key interests in Africa together with the new relations guided by the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) initiated in 2000 for the purpose of enhancing mutual consultation and win-win cooperation. This study is purely qualitative, relying on secondary sources of documentary data on the key study themes. Rational Choice theory is applied to understand the essence of decision making between Chinese and African actors. From a rigorous review of literature, there is optimism for a mutual relationship through the lenses of African agency exerted by African actors for self-benefiting motives amid skepticism of Africa‟s lack of agency in international relations. Guided by three explicit questions; how has the Sino-Africa relationship evolved since FOCAC inception, have FOCAC objectives for Africa been met, and finally what is the leverage achieved through the lenses of African agency, this study finds out that the relationship is on the right trajectory based on indicators like improved trade, infrastructure development, and stabilizing Africa‟s conflict zones. FOCAC objectives have not been fully met. Despite the flaccid evolution on the African side, Africa is showing a sense of agency and oneness in the FOCAC process through the African Union (AU) and its core body African Union Commission (AUC) driven by common African interests captured by the AU agenda 2063 among other key documents and plans of action. This study concludes that for African actors to exert more agency towards China and other global powers, first they should act on a collective African policy in this case a coherent Africa-China policy articulated by the AU together with other regional bodies. Second, Africa‟s action should be knowledge based, all-inclusive to capture actors like academics, civil society, and citizens of Africa.