March 21, 2019
Africa’s Unsung “Industrial Revolution”
There is an industrial revolution underway in sub-Saharan Africa’s most entrepreneurial economies.
Views from the Center
February 12, 2019
Common Values, Common Rules: How Should DAC Countries Engage with China in International Development?
A truly global international development regime should be based on shared values and common rules, while also respecting the wants and rights of recipient countries and societies. If the Development Assistance Committee (DAC)—the “traditional donors”—find common ground and build mutual trust with China, improved understanding and learning, and transparency, may follow.
February 5, 2019
Developing Countries Seek Greater Control as Tech Giants Woo the “Next Billion Users”
Developing countries are seeking more control over their citizens’ data—leading them to policies that put the open nature of the Internet at risk, says a new CGD paper.
January 10, 2019
A Closer Look at the World Bank’s Sizable China Portfolio
China continues to borrow an average of $2 billion a year from the World Bank, making it one of the Bank’s top borrowers—despite being the world’s second-largest economy and itself a major global lender.
December 7, 2018
Thomas Jefferson, the Original Debt Trap Diplomat
CGD research has become Exhibit A virtually every time the charge of “debt trap diplomacy” has been leveled against China in the media this past year. Yet, our research shows that many of China’s borrowers are managing their debts just fine and seem unlikely to fall into any traps.
November 8, 2018
China’s “Green” Belt and Road Initiative Isn’t Very Green
What would it look like today if major multilateral finance institutions like the World Bank had never adopted the climate agenda as a binding constraint on their operations? Unfortunately, we have a real-world approximation of that hypothetical in the form of Chinese development finance. At least, that’s a conclusion I draw from an important new report from World Resources Institute (WRI) and Boston University, Moving the Green Belt and Road Initiative: From Words to Actions.
November 1, 2018
Yes, China’s Lending Is a Problem for Debt-Vulnerable Countries
In most developing countries, China's role as a creditor is modest—but in eight of the most debt vulnerable countries, Chinese lending is significant and growing fast.
August 31, 2018
2018 FOCAC: Africa in the New Reality of Reduced Chinese Lending
The 2018 FOCAC Summit will open tomorrow in Beijing. There is much speculation about the size of the investment package China will unveil at the summit. It appears, however, that we are in a new phase of Chinese financing. A combination of domestic and international pressures will likely alter China’s extensive lending program—African states that have relied on this lifeline must adjust to the new reality.
March 5, 2018
Will China's Belt and Road Initiative Push Vulnerable Countries into a Debt Crisis?
In a new CGD paper, we assess the likelihood of debt problems in the 68 countries we identify as potential BRI borrowers. The big takeaway: BRI is unlikely to cause a systemic debt problem, yet the initiative will likely run into instances of debt problems among select participating countries—requiring better standards and improved debt practices from China.
March 1, 2018
AIIB Has Another Opportunity to Establish Best MDB Practice
In advance of adopting a new Policy on Public Information, the AIIB is inviting suggestions on how it could best align public disclosure with its guiding principles of “promoting transparency, enhancing accountability and protecting confidentiality.” The adoption of the new policy provides AIIB President Jin Liqun and the AIIB shareholders an opportunity to demonstrate that this newest of multilateral development banks (MDBs) is serious about its commitment to adopting international best practices. I identified a number of actions that the AIIB could take to improve its disclosure practices. Here are my top three recommendations:
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