China seen as better than EU in completing African projects, survey finds
- Poll of more than 1,000 policymakers on the continent puts priority on physical infrastructure, speedy results and non-interference in internal political affairs
- European Union charts higher on quality of products or services delivered; good working conditions; creating jobs for Africans; upholding environmental standards
China holds a substantial lead over the EU concerning perceptions about decision-making and timely completion of projects in Africa, according to a survey about the activities of Europe and China on the continent.
China beats European countries in building projects such as roads, power dams, railways and bridges while Europe dominates the abstract like soft power exchanges, high standards and climate change consciousness, according to a study released Tuesday by the Inter Region Economic Network (IREN), a Kenya-based think tank.
The survey’s findings are based on responses in the last quarter of 2021 from more than 1,000 policymakers from 25 African countries who monitor the tight competition between the European Union and China in Africa.
China scores much higher than the EU on what the survey respondents consider Africa’s priority needs – physical infrastructure, speedy results and non-interference in internal political affairs.
“China is thus headed towards closing the gap on the EU on most of the aspects of its engagement with Africa, including where the EU traditionally presumed to have commanded an unassailable lead,” said the study, which was commissioned by the Friedrich Naumann Foundation Global Partnership Hub, a German NGO.