This research is concerned with determining the extent of state agency of sub-Saharan African states, in the matter of Chinese non-/quasi-state investment in Africa’s renewable energy development....Show moreThis research is concerned with determining the extent of state agency of sub-Saharan African states, in the matter of Chinese non-/quasi-state investment in Africa’s renewable energy development. The possibilities in Africa for renewable energy development are numerous and undoubtedly crucial for sustainable economic development in the years to come. Taking state agency as a dependent variable in this research, several independent variables emanate from existing literature on this topic. These include the types of engagement between Chinese and African actors, the organization and structures of funding for projects and development, national frameworks, and paradiplomacy. Scholarship on this topic provides that on China’s behalf, most types of engagement such as direct private investment and transnational organizations are usually shaped to benefit China, which might undermine mutual advantages. Yet, China, with a technological advantage compared to sub-Saharan Africa and with its role as the main creditor, it is not deemed conspicuous in that regard for China to have a slight upper hand and leave less agency for sub-Saharan countries. The issue of orchestration also strains state agency as bottom-up movements are supported and mostly operate independently. When examining the types of engagement, it appears that sub-Saharan states still hold many autonomous decision-making capabilities, because most cooperation is deliberate or a result of thorough consideration and negotiation. In the case of orchestration, state agency is largely dependent on the groups international organizations target and to which end. These could include, for example, slow pace of energy transitions or lack of governmental attention. In the case of funding, most flows through development banks, which remain focused on advisory roles and asset management. These tend to distance themselves from project development and management. Cases vary across the region, however, as in Uganda state agency is shaped strategically. This results in sustainable regulation, swift development, and less need for strict state control of assets.Show less
At the international level, human rights can be defined as universal, inalienable rights that are inherent to all humans everywhere. However, human rights can be interpreted and valued differently...Show moreAt the international level, human rights can be defined as universal, inalienable rights that are inherent to all humans everywhere. However, human rights can be interpreted and valued differently across various cultures. Conceptualizations of human rights, thus, differ across places and times. Prior to the Forum on China Africa Cooperation Summit of 2006, conceptualizations of human rights on the African continent primarily revolved around the promotion of political and socio economic integration of the continent; the protection of sovereignty and territorial integrity; the eradication of (neo-)colonialism; and the promotion of peace, security and stability. Conceptualizations of human rights in China primarily revolved around the advancement of the human rights to subsistence and development over virtually any other human right. The resolutions taken by China during the Summit, which had the main objective of promoting the cooperation between itself and African countries, have formalized and intensified China-Africa relations significantly. In the years following the Summit, conceptualizations of human rights on the African continent primarily revolved around the promotion of democratization, development, and emancipation. Conceptualizations of human rights in China continued to primarily revolve around the advancement of the human rights to subsistence and development. In conclusion, the Summit has enabled China to socialize Africa with regard to human rights conceptualizations to a certain extent, through persuasion, social-back-patting and social influence. The measures taken at the Summit have enabled China to transmit the message that the human right to development is fundamentally important and maintain a positive image of itself on the African continent. Consequently, in part, a converging trend in Chinese and African human rights conceptualizations can be observed. Countering that, however, an in part diverging trend in this regard can be observed as well. China’s influence on African conceptualizations of human rights should, thus, neither be overstated nor underestimated for future reference.Show less
