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Investing in Zambia‘s Green Growth: Matchmaking Renewable Energy and Environmental Goods Manufacturing Opportunities Held in Hangzhou, China

December 9, 2024 No Comments

December 2, 2024 – Development Reimagined (DR) and the International Center on Small Hydro Power (ICSHP) successfully hosted the “Investing in Zambia’s Green Growth: Renewable Energy and Environmental Manufacturing Matchmaking Forum” in Hangzhou, China. The event brought together key stakeholders

AI Revolution in Africa: A Steady Growth

December 4, 2024 No Comments

In October 2024, a Financial Times article highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Africa, focusing on its positive impact across the continent. In Ghana, for instance, a 22-year-old with a cleft palate, Oscar Darko-Sarfo, has leveraged AI

Infographic: Is China’s new 100% duty-free trade pledge for African LDCs a big deal?

November 26, 2024 No Comments

The 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024, resulted in many new plans to enhance China-Africa cooperation, especially on trade. At the Summit, the most attention-grabbing trade-related announcement was China’s pledge to remove 100%

Report: Centering Africa’s Development in a Global Race: Africa-China Cooperation on Critical Minerals

November 20, 2024 No Comments

[20 November 2024] – On African Industrialization Day, Development Reimagined proudly launches its latest report, “Centering Africa’s Development in a Global Race: Africa-China Cooperation on Critical Minerals.” This groundbreaking report explores Africa’s strategic role in the critical minerals race, evaluates

Infographic: What do Africa’s Eurobonds mean for future debt levels and finance?

November 13, 2024 No Comments

Almost 30 years ago, South Africa became the first African country to issue a Eurobond – a bond issued in a currency different from the currency of the country it was issued. As of August 2023, Africa had 91 outstanding

Event: Development Reimagined Joins China-Africa Partnership for Sustainable Investment in Renewable Energy

November 4, 2024 No Comments

October 24, Qingdao, China – Development Reimagined (DR) was invited to participate in a side forum of the Third Belt and Road Energy Ministerial Conference, themed “South-South Cooperation & Development in Renewable Energy.” Held in Qingdao, Shandong Province, the event

Event: Reimagining Credit Rating Agencies for African Priorities

October 28, 2024 No Comments

24 October 2024: On the sidelines of the World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings, Development Reimagined and Falémé Conseil hosted a distinguished panel to explore the different methodologies of credit rating agencies (CRAs) and how these agencies can better align

Event: Strategies for Reducing Private Sector Costs in Africa: Unlocking Economic Growth

October 27, 2024 No Comments

On October 23rd, Development Reimagined (DR) and the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), co-hosted a panel discussion titled “Strategies for Reducing Private Sector Costs in Africa: Unlocking Economic Growth.” The event brought together experts from the private sector,

Event: African Leaders Say The African Credit Rating Agency Will Help Shift The Global Financial Architecture In Africa’s Favour

September 28, 2024 No Comments

20 September 2024 On the eve of the United Nations (UN) Summit of the Future in New York, a group of leading African organisations – the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), African Union, the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa

Infographic: Do African Countries have enough access to the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD)?

September 25, 2024 No Comments

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) is the lending arm of the World Bank Group for middle-income and “credit-worthy” low-income countries – meaning that not all countries can access it. It provides loans to countries at market-access rates,

Event: Reimagining the Current Global Governance System to Work for Africa and Prospects for China-Africa Cooperation

September 20, 2024 No Comments

On August 29th, Development Reimagined together with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) hosted a webinar on Reimagining the Current Global Governance System to Work for Africa and Prospects for China-Africa Cooperation at CCG headquarters in Beijing. The event

Event: Building Bridges – Collaboration for Growth Between China and African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AMFIs)

September 19, 2024 No Comments

Beijing, China, 7th September 2024. On September 7th, the Alliance for African Multilateral Financial Institutions (AAMFI) and the African Union (AU), with the support of Development Reimagined, organized a high-level forum on “Building Bridges: Collaboration for Growth Between African Multilateral

Policy Briefs: Empowering Africa in the G20 – Three Proposals for Equitable Global Financial Reforms

September 19, 2024 No Comments

In an evolving global economy, it is critical to reimagine the global financial architecture (GFA) that can constrain the future of low- and low-middle-income countries. The African continent, with its immense potential and growing economic needs, stands at a pivotal

Infographic: How Frequently Have African Countries Accessed IDA Compared to the Rest of the World?

September 17, 2024 No Comments

The International Development Association (IDA) is the concessional lending arm of the World Bank Group. IDA has the potential to be a key financing instrument for many African countries, as it provides concessional finance and can leverage this finance by

Infographic: How much could China contribute to the Nairobi Declaration 300GW Renewable Energy targets by 2030？

September 3, 2024 No Comments

Counting down to the 9th FOCAC and the 3rd year since China and Africa’s Declarations on Combating Climate Change were agreed upon, actions to further unlock the clean energy potentials are expected. China’s renewable energy installed capacity has reached around

Speech: New Directions in China-Africa Green and Low-Carbon Cooperation

August 29, 2024 No Comments

Remarks as delivered by Development Reimagined CEO Hannah Ryder during the FOCAC Dialogue on Environment & Climate Change – “Sino-African Cooperation on Green and Low-Carbon Development: New Initiatives and EVs” August 27, 2024 FULL SPEECH BELOW Good afternoon, dear Ministers, excellencies,

Report: Africa-China Cooperation in the Post-Covid Era

August 28, 2024 No Comments

The past two decades have seen significant progress in Africa-China cooperation with the creation of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). From an early emphasis on political cooperation, Africa-China cooperation under FOCAC has evolved to encompass the economic, sociocultural, peace

Speech: Unleashing Africa’s Investment Case

August 24, 2024 No Comments

Keynote Speech delivered by Development Reimagined CEO Hannah Ryder during the 2024 Chinese Investment in Africa report launch with China-Africa Business Council August 23, 2024 FULL SPEECH BELOW Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Congratulations on the launch of the

Forum on China-Africa Cooperation: All You Need to Know Before FOCAC 9

August 15, 2024 No Comments

The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has been a significant cooperative mechanism between China and African states since its creation in 2000. The mechanism is designed to bring together African states and Chinese counterparts to promote cooperation. In practice, FOCAC

Infographic: China’s tariff scheme for African LDC countries is now 21 years old. What next?

August 9, 2024 No Comments

Two years after its own accession into the World Trade Organisation (WTO), China initiated a scheme to allow 190 products from 30 African Least Developed Countries (LDCs) to enter China duty free. The announcement for the scheme was made at

Policy Brief: Who Is Really Silencing the Guns in Africa?

August 8, 2024 No Comments

The 19th of August marks World Humanitarian Day. So, does humanitarianism go hand in hand with peacekeeping? Yes! When addressing the media at this year’s UN Security Council debate on Women, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said something very

Policy Brief: Transforming Africa into a Solar PV Manufacturing Hub with China – can it be done?

August 7, 2024 No Comments

Beijing, China – Development Reimagined is proud to announce the release of a pivotal discussion paper, “Transforming Africa into a Photovoltaic Manufacturing Hub with China’s Support.” This comprehensive report outlines the requirements for developing Africa’s solar photovoltaic (PV) value chain

Infographic: Africa’s progress on the SDGs – is it all bleak? Insights from the latest UN HLPF

July 24, 2024 No Comments

The High-level Political Forum on Sustainable Development (HLPF) was held from Monday, 8 July, to Wednesday, 17 July 2024, at the United Nations headquarters in New York. It’s easy to dismiss the HLPF as just another useless meeting – but

Event: Symposium on the Priorities of China-Africa Cooperation in the Context of the FOCAC Summit in Beijing, 2024

July 22, 2024 No Comments

Beijing, China – July 9, 2024 The UN Country Team in China, in collaboration with the Embassy of Senegal (FOCAC Co-Chair), the Permanent Mission of the African Union in China, organized an event titled “Symposium on the Priorities of China-Africa

Event: Dialogue on Boosting & Diversifying Africa’s Exports to China

June 25, 2024 No Comments

The African Union Permanent Mission to China and Development Reimagined (DR) organised a roundtable discussion on the theme “Fostering Prosperity: Boosting & Diversifying Africa’s Exports to China” on June 25, 2024, at the African Union’s Permanent Mission in Beijing. This

Event: “Reimagining the World Bank’s IDA for Africa – Going Beyond the Replenishment.”

June 17, 2024 No Comments

On Thursday, 13th June, Development Reimagined hosted an event titled “Reimagining the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) for Africa – Going Beyond the Replenishment.” During the recent Spring Meetings, World Bank President Ajay Banga expressed his ambition to see

Expert View: China-Africa Climate Action Tracker (May 2024)

June 17, 2024 No Comments

With FOCAC 9 a few months away, it’s time to reflect on the climate projects delivered after the China-Africa Climate Declarations signed during FOCAC 8. By May 24, 2024, Development Reimagined’s Climate Action Tracker had tracked 122 projects, with 30 new climate

Database: Tracking China Africa Climate Actions since FOCAC 8

June 17, 2024 No Comments

Development Reimagined’s China Africa Climate Action Tracker is an interactive database tracing China’s climate footprint in African countries since the announcement of the China-Africa Climate Declarations during the 8th FOCAC in Nov 2021, with regular updates leading up to FOCAC

Infographic: Is the World Bank’s IDA working for African Interests?

May 31, 2024 No Comments

Back in December 2023, World Bank President, Mr Ajay Banga, called for the replenishment of the International Development Association (IDA) to be the “largest of all time”. The aim of this is to address the global crisis from the ongoing

Event: How Should Africa Reimagine Debt and Development Finance?

May 31, 2024 No Comments

On Tuesday May 24, 2024, Development Reimagined hosted an event “How Should Africa Reimagine Debt and Development Finance?” This event, held as an Official Side Event during the African Development Bank Group Annual Meetings, gathered experts, policymakers, and stakeholders to

Report: How many Eurobonds does Africa have and how might it impact their budgets in the future?

May 28, 2024 No Comments

As of August 2023, 19 African countries had 91 active, US$-denominated Eurobonds. With a final debt repayment date of September 2061, the values of annual debt repayment vary across countries and are largely dependent on their coupon rates- with some

Event: US-Africa Experts Roundtable on the future of AGOA and financing

May 9, 2024 No Comments

On Tuesday 16th April, on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, Development Reimagined (DR) and the Center for Global Development (CGD) co-hosted a US-Africa experts roundtable to discuss the future of US-Africa relations, in particular in light of

Event: Africa Reimagined’s and ITC’s booth at the 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Kenya

May 6, 2024 No Comments

Africa Reimagined (AR) is excited to announce its participation in the forthcoming 4th China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo (CAETE) in Nairobi, Kenya at the Edge Convention Centre from 9th to 11th May 2024. AR is teaming up with the International

Event: Reimagining The Global Debt Relief System For African Interests – What Concrete Ideas?

May 3, 2024 No Comments

By Development Reimagined and the African Union. On 17th April, on the sidelines of the IMF-World Bank Spring Meetings, Development Reimagined and the African Union, came together to host a timely event that explored concrete and tangible ideas for reimagining

Event: 4th African Ambassadors in China Retreat

April 25, 2024 No Comments

The 4th African Ambassadors in China Retreat, jointly organized by Development Reimagined and the African Union Representative Office in China, took place on April 23-24, 2024, at DeYun Wedding Hall in Beijing, China. The retreat convened African Union representatives, African

Event: Reimagining the IMF Quota System for Africa

April 19, 2024 No Comments

During the 2024 World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings in Washington DC, the Development Reimagined team hosted a panel discussion with Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center (GDPC) on “Reimagining the IMF Quota System for Africa”, on 18th April 2024. This event

Infographic: Are African countries too dependent on the IMF?

April 18, 2024 No Comments

Although the International Monetary Fund (IMF) is known as a “lender of last resort”, according to its own statements it is much more. It works to achieve sustainable growth and prosperity by supporting economic policies that promote financial stability and

Infographic: Will African countries see growth in 2024 and beyond?

April 17, 2024 No Comments

Released in January 2024, the World Bank’s latest Global Economic Prospects (GEP) echoes sentiment from the tail-end of 2023 – that global economic growth remains fragile and constrained by coordinated price stability policies put in place by Central Banks around

Speech: What is “the West” missing? Defining an affirmative agenda for engagement in Africa

March 29, 2024 No Comments

Remarks as prepared to deliver by Development Reimagined CEO Hannah Ryder during a forum of representatives from G7 governments in Nairobi, Kenya, March 2024. FULL SPEECH BELOW Thank you very much for inviting me to this forum to share my

Infographic: Are African Organisations Procuring Locally? The Case of AUDA-NEPAD

March 21, 2024 No Comments

It might sound a little boring, but the word “procurement” is actually a very important one in development. It is so important that since 2022, there has been an annual “World Sustainable Procurement Day” – today, the 21st of March.

Infographic: Why do some African countries import electricity?

March 11, 2024 No Comments

In November 2023, news of a company operating “power” ships that send electricity to African and other countries hit the headlines – as the firm had cut lines to Sierra Leone and Guinea Bissau due to missed payments. Although we

Briefings: Where are Africa’s top 5 destinations for Chinese Renewable Investment?

February 29, 2024 No Comments

If you are looking to understand or invest in large scale renewable energy on the African continent, look no further! Today, Development Reimagined has launched our new Renewable Energy Briefings. The briefings are designed to provide Chinese and other investors

Database: Understanding the progress of China-Africa climate actions since FOCAC 8

February 5, 2024 No Comments

Since the announcement of the China-Africa Climate Declaration during the 8th FOCAC in November 2021, there has been a surge in efforts to comprehensively document Chinese climate-related projects in Africa. While existing information primarily focuses on Chinese loans in energy

Policy Brief: African Priorities for the G21 in 2024

February 1, 2024 No Comments

In 2023, the African Union was officially included as a full, permanent member of the Group of 20 (G20) to form the G21. At Development Reimagined, we have been at the center of campaigning for this monumental shift, for African

Speech: Empowering Africa through Debt-for-Development Swaps in China-Africa Collaboration

December 18, 2023 No Comments

Speech delivered by Development Reimagined Analyst Huiyi Chen during a thematic session hosted by the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC) in Beijing in December 2023. FULL SPEECH BELOW Thank you very much Vice President Yu Zirong,

Infographic: Africa’s Huge Solar Power Potential

December 14, 2023 No Comments

COP28 brought the world together to take joint actions to address the risk of global climate change, promote the global energy transition, and ensure energy security. For the past two weeks, energy issues such as formulating emission reduction programmes and

Speech: How Can China Support African Health Sovereignty through Innovative Finance?

December 12, 2023 No Comments

Speech Delivered By Development Reimagined CEO Hannah Wanjie Ryder at The Seminar on Deepening High-Quality Health Development Cooperation to Build a Global Community of Health for All, December 12th 2023 Your Excellency Mr. Zhongdong Tang of the Department of African

Infographic: Africa’s Amazing Wind Power Potential

December 12, 2023 No Comments

As the world converges at COP28 to address the pressing challenges of climate change, it is imperative to underscore the untapped renewable energy potential within the African continent. According to a study in 2020 for the International Finance Corporation, continental

Event: Collaboration vs. Competition: How can African organisations get the most out of local partnerships?

December 5, 2023 No Comments

On 5th December 2023, Development Reimagined launched a new dialogue series entitled Fast-tracking Decolonisation. The series will explore ways for development organisations to enhance their commitment to decolonisation, identifying crucial areas that can expedite transformation within the development landscape. The

Expert view: AGOA Isn’t the Political Leverage Washington Thinks It Is

December 4, 2023 No Comments

This article was first published on Ventures Africa in December 2023 – by Ovigwe Eguegu On 9th June 2023, the US, with Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the United Kingdom issued a statement that began with the sentence: “The use

Event: OSC Establishes the Common Leveraging Union of Borrowers (CLUB)

December 3, 2023 No Comments

On November 29th in Addis Ababa, after two days of deliberations with Ministers of Finance, the Organization of Southern Cooperation (OSC) formally announced the establishment of the Common Leveraging Union of Borrowers (CLUB), a novel financial instrument that supports OSC

Infographic: Africa’s Ascent: What progress is Africa making in the fight against HIV/AIDS?

December 1, 2023 No Comments

The 2023 theme of World AIDS Day, celebrated annually on 1st December, is “Let the Communities Lead”. This is a great theme, however, at Development Reimagined we have an additional theme “Africa’s Ascent.” Why? Usually, on most World AIDS days,

Report: How to unleash Africa’s Untapped Potential for Environmental Goods Manufacturing?

November 19, 2023 No Comments

On Africa Industrialisation Day, celebrated on November 20th every year, Development Reimagined is proud to release its latest report, “Unleash Africa’s Untapped Potential on Environmental Goods Manufacturing.” This comprehensive analysis shines a spotlight on Africa’s capacity to lead in environmental

Infographic: Are China’s loans to Africa back to pre-Covid-19 levels?

November 17, 2023 No Comments

November 2023 – Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to the present, there has been an abundance of reporting on a slowdown in Chinese lending to Africa and projections of this into the future. But with a closer examination of the data,

Event: A new Trilateral Framework For Local Medicine Production in Africa

November 15, 2023 No Comments

Development Reimagined (DR) supported UNAIDS (China), the African Union, and the Embassy of Senegal in a strategic consultative meeting titled: “Towards a China-AU-UN Tripartite Framework for Action on Local Production of Medicines and Health Commodities in Africa.”, held on November

Infographic: What is Africa’s untapped potential for Environmental Goods Manufacturing?

November 14, 2023 No Comments

As the world accelerates actions against climate change, embedding environmental and climate perspectives in industrialisation is becoming increasingly crucial – and this extends to Africa. The promotion of the Environmental Goods (EGs) value chain plays a vital role in the

Event: The African Position on the G21 Common Framework: Actionable Ideas for Reform

November 10, 2023 No Comments

On the sidelines of the 2023 World Bank – IMF Annual Meetings in Marrakesh, Morocco, on Friday 13th October 2023, Development Reimagined (DR) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) hosted an event entitled: “Reimagining Debt Rules: What

Infographic: Will African countries see growth post-COVID?

November 6, 2023 No Comments

The latest IMF World Economic Outlook (WEO) was released in October 2023, during the IMF and World Bank’s Annual Meetings – which were held on the African continent in Marrakesh for the first time in 50 years. The WEO underscored

Speech: Why “Made in Africa” is clearly the future for global supply chains

November 2, 2023 No Comments

Speech delivered by Development Reimagined CEO Hannah Ryder during the launch of the 2023 Chinese Investment in Africa report and the Senior Officials meeting on FOCAC, 24th October 2023. Excellencies, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Firstly, I would like to

Infographic: African Countries Support a Humanitarian Truce in Gaza but Reluctant to Condemn Hamas

November 1, 2023 No Comments

On Friday 27th October 2023, the UN General Assembly approved a non-binding resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza. The 193-member global body adopted the resolution by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Our latest infographic breaks down

Expert View: Recommendations for Debt Sustainability Analysis Reform

October 31, 2023 No Comments

On Thursday 7th September 2023, Development Reimagined held an event on the sidelines of the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi. The event, aptly named Breaking the Bias: Rethinking Debt Sustainability for Africa’s Future, focused on key challenges within the IMF

Event: DR trains over 50 SMEs for China market entry with the International Trade Centre

October 25, 2023 No Comments

On 18th October 2023 Development Reimagined (DR) conducted a China market entry training session as part of a series hosted by the International Trade Centre (ITC) in the build-up to the China International Import Expo (CIIE). The training sessions were

Report: Financing Reparations and Loss and Damage – What are the Options?

October 12, 2023 No Comments

A new report by The Advocacy Team and Development Reimagined reveals some of the financing options for reparations and makes recommendations on the most ideal financing mechanisms. Reparations are meant to acknowledge and repair the causes and consequences of human

Event: ACW 23 – Is Manufacturing Environmental Goods a key strategy for African countries to achieve net zero by 2050?

October 10, 2023 No Comments

Development Reimagined, in collaboration with the African Climate Foundation (ACF), recently co-hosted a pivotal webinar titled ‘Manufacturing of Environmental Goods – A Key Strategy for African Countries to Achieve Net-Zero by 2050?’. This event brought together key stakeholders in Africa’s

Infographic: Evaluating UNGA 2023: How many African Leaders attended, and why?

September 23, 2023 No Comments

Amidst a backdrop of global challenges, almost 60% of African member states gathered for the 2023 United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York City, USA. The global challenges they and others have raised included reform of the UN itself,

Event: Breaking the Bias: Rethinking Debt Sustainability for Africa’s Future

September 11, 2023 No Comments

On the sidelines of the African Climate Summit, Development Reimagined hosted an event aimed at challenging the status quo embedded within the international debt system. African countries operate in a creditor-centric international financial system where the “rules of the game”

Expert View: South Africa resumes beef exports to China – How can South Africa become a more competitive and major beef supplier to China?

September 9, 2023 No Comments

At the recent BRICS summit held in South Africa, two important trade deals were agreed between the presidents of South Africa and China. Firstly, an agreement to allow South African avocados to enter the Chinese market, and secondly, the resumption

Report: Existing loans in 5 African countries are insufficient to fund infrastructure

September 7, 2023 No Comments

Development Reimagined’s new report reveals that five selected African countries – which have either been classed as “in debt distress” or as “high risk” – will need to spend between 9% – 58% of GDP annually on infrastructure spending to

Event: Driving Economic Transformation: African Borrower Coordination in Action

September 7, 2023 No Comments

On August 30th, during this year’s African Conference on Debt and Development (AfCoDD III), Development Reimagined co-organized a panel discussion with the African Forum and Network on Debt and Development (AFRODAD) on the topic of increasing African borrower coordination in

Event: African Ambassadors and Prof Deborah Brautigam discuss China-Africa relations

September 5, 2023 No Comments

Development Reimagined in partnership with the African Union Permanent Mission in Beijing convened an evening with Professor Deborah Brautigam, the Director of the China-Africa Research Initiative, and Bernard L. Schwartz Professor of Political Economy Emerita at Johns Hopkins University’s School

Event: AWF and African Ambassadors discuss an Africa-Led Biodiversity Agenda with ChinaEvent

August 29, 2023 No Comments

On May 30, 2023, the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF), supported by Development Reimagined (DR) hosted a roundtable discussion titled “Joining Hands to Realize an Africa-Led Biodiversity and Development Agenda.” This inclusive event drew the participation of more than 15 African

Event: Engaging Africa in the G20 – Preparing for the African Union’s Inclusion

August 29, 2023 No Comments

On the 21st of August 2023, on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, Development Reimagined and the South African Institute of International Affairs hosted a panel discussion on the engagement of the African Union in the G20. The discussion was

Infographic: Can The AU’s Inclusion in The G20 Help Rebalance Trade Relationships?

August 24, 2023 No Comments

Over the past year, Development Reimagined has been leading the call for the African Union (AU) to join the G20 as a permanent member to form the “G21”. The continent’s inclusion into the G20 will not only provide a platform

Infographic: Comparing Africa’s Agricultural Trade Alliances: BRICS vs. G7

August 22, 2023 No Comments

The BRICS Summit has kicked off this week in South Africa, including a new announcement by President Cyril Ramphosa that South Africa will export beef to China. But what is the context for this announcement? Our latest infographic on Comparing

Press Release: Afreximbank and Development Reimagined Join Forces to help High-End, Sustainable African Brands enter Chinese Market

August 9, 2023 No Comments

In continuation of its strategy to assist African businesses in increasing their presence in the international arena, the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and international consultants Development Reimagined (DR) have entered into a partnership to promote the entry and sale of

Press Release: Embassy Of The Republic of South Sudan in Beijing Sign MOU With Development Reimagined To Strengthen Cooperation

August 9, 2023 No Comments

In a significant step towards enhancing collaboration, the Embassy of the Republic of South Sudan in Beijing and Development Reimagined have successfully signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU). The signing ceremony took place on the morning of August 7 at

Infographic: Is COVID-19 Finally “over” in African Countries?

July 31, 2023 No Comments

In May 2023, the WHO announced that COVID-19 was no longer a global health emergency. But does this ring true for the African continent, especially given that the WHO’s announcement seemed to be premised on not just herd immunity but

Event: From Paris to Delhi: The Demand for a New Financial Architecture – Why the G20 Needs the African Union

July 12, 2023 No Comments

Development Reimagined and the African Climate Foundation (ACF) co-hosted a panel discussion on the side lines of the Summit for a New Global Financial Pact in Paris. The session explored the possibility of having the AU and AU Commission as

Infographic: Infrastructure spending to meet the SDGs and debt sustainability – how to square the circle?

June 14, 2023 No Comments

A few months ago, the Paris Summit for a “New Global Financial Pact” was announced to be held in June 2023. So far, the Summit has been met with mixed reviews, with the aim to deliver innovative approaches to the

Policy Brief: What Does an Influential African Union in the G20 look like?

May 25, 2023 No Comments

A new Policy Brief by Development Reimagined gives reasons for the African Union (AU) to join the G20 as a permanent member, offering compelling reasons for this crucial step. The G20, consisting of the European Union and 19 leading economies,

Infographic: The IMF’s latest Africa report: Too much Gloom and Doom

May 18, 2023 No Comments

IMF released a new Africa-focused report In a recent address to the 3rd Pan-African Parliament Summit, the President of Kenya William Ruto remarked: “The discursive profile of the continent has too often been focused on the challenges and difficulties we

Policy Brief: Development Reimagined’s Key Initiative: The Borrower’s Club

May 9, 2023 No Comments

Download Our Policy Brief The international financial system values creditors’ interests, needs, and priorities more than borrowers. If we take the case of Zambia, for instance, which between 2012 and 2015 acquired approximately USD 3 billion in external Eurobond debt

Infographic: Can African countries feed themselves?

May 3, 2023 No Comments

At a recent conference the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat’s Secretary General Wamkele Mene remarked “I see milk from New Zealand in an African country when we have milk in Uganda”. His comment highlighted the need for African countries

Report: The African Development Bank is the Best Route for Special Drawing Rights in Africa

May 3, 2023 No Comments

In August 2021, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) issued its largest allocation of Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) worth 650 billion USD to boost global liquidity and support member countries in their post-COVID-19 recovery. In this global allocation, the African continent

Report: New Report shows Multilateral Development Banks need to do more to incorporate SDGs in their lending

April 27, 2023 No Comments

In 2015, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) replaced the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) with the aim of ending poverty, protecting the planet, and ensuring all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. Just before the SDGs were adopted, during a

Report: Chinese investment is flowing into climate action overseas – but more can be done!

April 22, 2023 1 Comment

A new report by Development Reimagined is the first ever attempt at providing an in-depth analysis of Chinese investment into overseas climate funds and to what extent justice, equity, diversity and inclusion (JEDI) is a key consideration for private Chinese

Report: New Report Highlights Opportunities for Stronger UK-Japan Development Cooperation

March 31, 2023 11 Comments

As the world continues to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and its economic impact, alongside the continued Russia-Ukraine crisis, international cooperation is increasingly important to ensure sustainable and inclusive recovery. This month, the UK government released an updated Integrated Review

Speech: How can China best support Industrial Value Chains and Value Addition in Africa?

March 24, 2023 No Comments

Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Ladies and gentlemen, Director General Wu Peng, Your Excellency Sylla Deputy Director Zhang Jianhua Resident Coordinator Chatterjee I want to express my sincere appreciation, on behalf of Development Reimagined, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and China

Infographic: African SDRs – How they are used, distributed, and what needs to change

March 24, 2023 2 Comments

It has been almost a year and half since the International Monetary Fund (IMF) announced its largest global allocation of SDRs, US $650 billion (or SDR 456.5 billion), to member countries to boost global liquidity and address the global need

Report: Infrastructure Spending to Meet the SDGs is incompatible with Debt Sustainability

March 22, 2023 No Comments

New report reveals that four selected African countries who have sought G20 debt restructuring will need to spend between 9.7 – 49% of GDP annually on infrastructure spending to meet the SDGs. New report by Development Reimagined on the infrastructure

Policy Brief: FOCAC 8 At 1 – What Has Changed in Africa-China Trade so far?

March 21, 2023 No Comments

The 8th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was recently held in Dakar, Senegal, bringing together high-level officials from China and African countries to discuss cooperation in various areas, including trade facilitation. A new report by Development Reimagined analyzes the trade

Infographic: Cholera In Africa – are Vaccines and Manufacturing enough?

March 2, 2023 1 Comment

In the past year, cholera has returned to the fore as a public health disease of concern, with current outbreaks being battled in 22 countries across three continents, more than half of which are African countries. What is cholera, and

Infographic: What do the 2023 World Bank Projections say about African countries’ future growth?

February 14, 2023 2 Comments

Following on from a turbulent half a decade – with the China-US trade war, the COVID-19 pandemic itself plus supply chain disruptions accompanied by inequitable vaccine access, the Russia-Ukraine War and, now, subsequent inflation crisis – many countries across the

Speech: What next for China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation?

February 8, 2023 No Comments

Speech by Development Reimagined CEO, Hannah Ryder, at The Forum on China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation. Recommendations by the Development Reimagined team for future cooperation regarding Africa-China private sector cooperation are provided below. Full Speech Below Distinguished guests, Ministers, Governors, Ambassadors,

Infographic: How did African countries vote on Russia and Ukraine at the UN? (updated Feb 2023)

February 8, 2023 7 Comments

There have been four key instances in the United Nations where African countries have had the opportunity to express their views on the Russia-Ukraine war and how it relates to international law. This post provides relevant infographics which can help

Expert View: 3 Key Trends in the Chinese Market for 2023

January 11, 2023 4 Comments

1. The removal of the Covid-19 policy and measures to boost consumption means more market opportunities for African business The Chinese government officially announced that it would downgrade its controversial “Zero-Covid Policy” on December 26, 2022. After waves of infections

Infographic: Does the IMF expect Economic Growth in African Countries in 2023?

January 4, 2023 1 Comment

October 2023- Does the IMF expect Economic Growth in African Countries in 2023? Over the past 4 years, the world has endured the economic fallout from the China-US trade war, the COVID-19 pandemic itself plus supply chain disruptions accompanied

Infographic: 2022’s Missed Goals for COVID19 vaccines in the African region mean a mixed outlook for 2023

January 2, 2023 1 Comment

As 2022 has drawn to a close, there has been much coverage about China’s challenges with COVID-19 vaccinations as the country eased social distancing restrictions. But completely missing from front pages is the fact that across the Indian Ocean, an

Report: Shifting Power in Global Health – what will it take? Summary of dialogues

December 27, 2022 No Comments

December 2022 The wake of the Black Lives Matter movement and the COVID-19 crisis lay bare the fault lines in global health. Reflecting on the uncoordinated global response to the pandemic and the exacerbation of inequalities in treatment and supply

Infographic: The Re-emergence of Ebola Virus, International Silence and African Resilience

December 22, 2022 1 Comment

Nearly ten years after the Sudan Ebola virus (SUDV) was first discovered in Uganda in 2012, the deadly Ebola virus disease (EVD), also known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, has resurfaced in a new outbreak. Following the confirmation of the first

Policy Brief: What can African leaders aim to get from the US-Africa Leader’s Summit?

December 13, 2022 No Comments

From US-Africa engagement to Africa-US engagement. In the run-up to the 2nd US-Africa Leaders Summit in December 2022, Development Reimagined experts created a US-Africa Policy Brief featuring innovative strategies to shift the “US-Africa” process to an “Africa-US” process. This policy

Expert View: What impact might China’s 20th National Congress have on Africa-China business and trade?

November 22, 2022 9 Comments

In October, the world’s attention was firmly placed on China, as the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) commenced. Not only is the CPC among the most important events in China’s political system (it decides the

Infographic: 25 African Countries Aren’t Yet Giving COVID19 Vaccine Boosters. Here’s why.

November 22, 2022 No Comments

Almost two years from the first reported cases of COVID-19 in December 2019, the world continues to vaccinate against the virus as a key prevention measure. With multiple variants in circulation, and different vaccines now in use, vaccination and booster

Event: Green Banking in Africa – the Reality and the Need, Africa Climate Week Panel Discussion

November 10, 2022 No Comments

Panellists: Co-hosts: During Africa Climate Week 2022 in Libreville, Gabon – Development Reimagined co-hosted a side event with African Climate Foundation (ACF) and Environmental Defence Fund Europe (EDF). Our joint event convened key stakeholders in Africa’s climate finance and banking

Expert view: What is Jing Dong (JD) and why is it relevant for African brands in China?

November 9, 2022 3 Comments

Who We Are? What is JD? Founded in 2004, JD is now one China’s biggest and most trusted e-commerce platforms. It was originally founded as a website but is now accessed through its mobile app, as Chinese consumers almost solely

Expert view: Recent Trends For African Brands in China and Japan

November 8, 2022 No Comments

Who We Are? Three (3) emerging consumer trends in China and Japan that are boosting demand for African products Last month, we shared our interview with Hara Yukari, which promotes and sells African brands and their products in Japan. Based

Event: DR partners with Kiliselect to open an “Africa Reimagined” e-commerce store for luxury African brands

October 20, 2022 1 Comment

Africa Reimagined is partnering with the Kiliselect e-commerce store in China to open an “Africa Reimagined” section for high-end African brands on the e-commerce store. The partnership between Africa Reimagined and Kiliselect and the onboarding of the high-end African brands

Event: Creditor Coordination vs Borrower Coordination: What Matters Most to Debt Management in Africa? DR and CGD Panel Discussion

October 19, 2022 No Comments

债权人协调与借款人协调：对非洲债务管理最重要的是什么？国际金融体系过于以债权人为中心，不考虑借款人的需求。债权人通常通过“俱乐部”或“委员会”组织起来，例如巴黎俱乐部，将借款人排除在谈判之外。因此，迫切需要加强借款人协调，以便各国分享经验并协商做法，从金融体系中获得更多利益。这种协调可以通过借款人俱乐部实现，非洲国家可以联合起来，既借贷又协商债务条款。下面的文本框中突出显示了关键方面。借款人俱乐部将在多个方面对非洲大有裨益。例如，当非洲各国政府联合起来借贷时，他们将能够获得信贷，从而促进项目的启动和连续性，因为有低息贷款可用。此外，非洲各国政府之间的协调将继续改善，同时也提供了分享想法和经验的平台。鉴于出席年会的主要利益相关者，这对非洲领导人和发展从业者来说是一个很好的机会，可以提出国际金融体系中借款人协调的必要性——使该体系服务于借款人，而不仅仅是债权人。借款人俱乐部：演讲者：Development Reimagined 首席执行官 Hannah Ryder 主持人：利比里亚前公共工程部长、全球发展中心高级政策研究员 Gyude Moore 讨论嘉宾：本次活动由 CGD 和 Development Reimagined 联合主办，请观看下面完整的网络研讨会。 2022 年 10 月

Expert view: 5 Takeaways from Africa Climate Week 2022

October 17, 2022 No Comments

Overview Our Development Reimagined team joined more than 1,200 delegates at the recent UN Africa Climate Week (ACW) in Libreville, Gabon. Over the course of several days we listened to expert panels, engaged with key stakeholders, and gained a deeper

Policy Brief: How can the IMF, World Bank and other global financing mechanisms be reimagined to work better for Africa?

October 10, 2022 No Comments

REIMAGINING THE INTERNATIONAL FINANCE SYSTEM FOR AFRICA- IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings Policy Brief In the run-up to the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Washington D.C in October 2022 Development Reimagined has put together a comprehensive Policy

Report: New Report says that Africa’s pharmaceutical sector can become self-sufficient – using evidence from China and India

October 7, 2022 No Comments

INTRODUCTION: New Report says that Africa’s pharmaceutical sector can become self-sufficient – using evidence from China and India Making Africa’s Pharmaceutical Ambitions A Reality: Lessons from China and India In a follow-up to our August 2022 report on the African

Expert View: What are WeChat Stores and how are they connecting foreign brands with the Chinese market?

October 4, 2022 No Comments

Who We Are? Created by Internet giant Tencent, Wechat is the most popular instant messaging software in China, with 1,200 million users around the world and more than 1,000 million are in China, which means this app exists in almost

Expert view: ‘Proudly from Africa’ – the project that is putting African brands centre stage of Japan’s luxury market

October 4, 2022 No Comments

Who We Are? “I think of myself as a “Kuroko” – the stagehands who dress in black and support the dolls in Japanese puppet kabuki theatre. My passion is to assist African and Japanese entrepreneurs in achieving their goals and

Interview: Meet Yenae – a high-end African brand that is breaking the Chinese market

October 4, 2022 No Comments

Who We Are? Despite reports on Covid-19-induced economic slowdowns in China, China’s middle-class and their purchasing power is continuing to grow at a rapid rate. Today, China is home to more than 40 percent of the global wealth middle class. Furthermore,

Report: Are African governments doing enough with China on climate action?

September 28, 2022 No Comments

It’s an often-cited fact that the African continent is particularly vulnerable to the direct and indirect effects of climate change – a vulnerability that has been exacerbated by the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic – while being responsible for just a tiny

Infographic: The “African debt crisis” playbook – What’s the real story?

September 26, 2022 1 Comment

Prior to and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, civil society, governments and media outlets have issued constant warnings of a ‘African debt crisis’. While our infographics to date have shown that these concerns are overblown for various reasons, and have been proved

Event: SADC Roundtable with China on the AU’s Program For Infrastructure Development For Africa (PIDA)

September 22, 2022 No Comments

On the 30th of August 2022, Development Reimagined in partnership with the African Union Permanent Mission to China organized a hybrid closed-door roundtable discussion “Sub-Regional Discussion for the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) and China on Regional Infrastructure Projects Under

Policy Brief: How can the UN System and Multilateralism be reimagined to better work for Africa?

September 20, 2022 No Comments

In the run-up to the 77th United Nations General Assembly, Development Reimagined has put together a comprehensive Policy Brief “Making Multilateralism Work for Africa”. The brief intends to support African leaders and policymakers, as well as development practitioners, to deliver clear positions

Infographic: Why Monkeypox Reinforces The Case For Local Pharmaceutical Manufacturing In Africa

August 30, 2022 No Comments

Named for its first detection in 1958 in lab primates, monkeypox had previously been considered as a pathogen of high priority by the WHO. Perhaps due to its low fatality rate and/or its typical detection in a few West African

Expert View: Why African Coffee Producers Should Sell Their Coffee in China and How to Do It

August 24, 2022 No Comments

Who We Are? China is the world’s second-largest market. Therefore, any country looking to increase its export footprint is an important market to enter and gain significant market share. In the last decade, China has seen a rapid increase in

Meet the high-end African brands who are breaking the Chiense market – Kangumamu AGRO

August 12, 2022 No Comments

Who We Are? It is no secret that coffee has exploded in popularity in China, despite being a traditionally tea drinking country. Although most coffee consumed in China comes from Vietnam and Malaysia, as well as China itself, African coffee

Report: Every African country depends on pharmaceutical imports – here is a new way out

August 1, 2022 No Comments

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic-induced drug and vaccine supply issues, attention has started to shift towards the idea of “local manufacturing” in Africa. This is necessary. A new report “MAKING AFRICA’S PHARMACEUTICAL AMBITIONS A REALITY: Part 1 –

Infographic: Beyond Vaccines – Africa is being locked out of new therapies for COVID-19

July 11, 2022 No Comments

Updated Every Month As COVID-19 social distancing interventions continue to be relaxed in many countries and the world approaches a possible endemic stage of the pandemic, vaccination continues to be pushed as an effective strategy as new variants of COVID-19

African Fashion Week shows that are putting African fashion brands on the map – including in China

July 5, 2022 3 Comments

Who We Are? Last week, hundreds of fashion enthusiasts gathered in Kigali for the eagerly awaited Kigali Fashion Week. Known for its thriving fashion industry that has produced fashion brands that are becoming globally renowned such as Haute Baso and

The rise of the online promotional shopping festival for African products in China

June 21, 2022 1 Comment

Who We Are? Last month, Africa Reimagined took part in a promotional shopping festival for African products in China called the: “4th Brand and Quality Online Shopping Festival and Quality African Products Online Shopping Festival.” From April 28th to May

Is Africa-China trade picking up now the Shanghai Covid-19 lockdown is over?

June 8, 2022 1 Comment

Who We Are? Last week, authorities in Shanghai finally lifted a two-month-long COVID-19 lockdown that could reportedly reduce China’s overall GDP by 4% this year. Across China as a whole, Covid-19 cases have also reduced to around 70 per day

Why is China’s e-commerce market such a big deal and how can African brands take advantage of it?

June 2, 2022 1 Comment

The simple answer as to why China’s e-commerce market is such a big deal is that China has the world largest and most diverse e-commerce market. In 2021, China’s e-commerce market took up more than half of the global online

Report: Forecasting Infrastructure Financing Needs of Four West African countries

May 23, 2022 No Comments

NEW ANALYSIS: Forecasting The Infrastructure Financing Needs of Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Cote d’Ivoire to 2030 Numerous international organizations often stress the importance of infrastructure for development, including in Africa’s development. Yet, there is a severe lack of analysis on

Infographic: The Russia-Ukraine War: A New Economic Crisis in Africa?

May 20, 2022 7 Comments

On 24th February 2022 Russia announced a “special military operation” in Ukraine. Since then, not only has the war led to loss of life, destruction of property and business, it has immensely affected global trade in of which Russia and

Expert view: The UK’s new development strategy suggests its ready to ‘Talk the Talk’ – but will it really ‘Walk the Walk’?

May 18, 2022 No Comments

Yesterday the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) released their eagerly awaited International Development Strategy. It has been an agonizing wait; the international development community have been expecting this strategy since the publication of the Integrated Review back in

Everything YOU need to know about China’s e-commerce giant: JD Worldwide

May 9, 2022 1 Comment

Who We Are? China’s e-commerce market is the largest in the world. The key to succeeding in the Chinese market is understanding how your brand can make the most of China’s thriving e-commerce sector. JD-Worldwide is China’s biggest online sales platform

Q&A: Shanghai Port disruptions and impact on African businesses and trade

May 7, 2022 No Comments

Who We Are? Shanghai is known for its fast-paced city life, with the bright lights from the Lujiazui skyline sparkling across the Bund, attracting tourists from within China and the rest of the world. It’s a bustling trade and commercial

Event: Innovative Approaches to Development Finance and Debt Vulnerabilities for African Countries

May 6, 2022 No Comments

On April 20th, Development Reimagined in partnership with the University of Pretoria Centre for Human Rights organized a closed-door stakeholder event on “Innovative Approaches to Development Finance and Debt Vulnerabilities for African Countries”. The event brought together key stakeholders in

African Union and Development Reimagined: Special Dialogue on the African Union’s Program for Infrastructure Development for Africa (PIDA)

May 4, 2022 No Comments

On the 13th and 14th of April 2022, the African Union Permanent Mission to China and Development Reimagined organized a Special Dialogue on “Coordinating on Regional Infrastructure Projects under the African Union’s Program for Infrastructure Development for Africa (PIDA)”. The

Africa Reimagined Supports The 4th Brand And Quality Online Shopping Festival And Quality African Products Online Shopping Festival

April 28, 2022 1 Comment

Who We Are? Africa Reimagined is supporting a promotional shopping festival for African products in China that is taking place from April 28 till May 12. More than 100,000 African brands will be showcased on over 300 e-commerce platforms during

New Report says Multilateral Development Banks must reform to meet the Sustainable Development Goals

April 26, 2022 No Comments

Infographic: Can African countries rely on vaccines to manage COVID-19?

April 19, 2022 No Comments

Updated Every Month As COVID-19 social distancing interventions continue to be relaxed in many countries in favour of vaccine-led strategies, while new variants of COVID-19 continue to emerge, the way forward for global COVID-19 management seems very unclear. Our infographics

geoGraphical Indications An Opportunity For Africa To Add Value To Exports

March 5, 2022 2 Comments

Who We Are? Disclaimer: This article is a revised version of Development Reimagined’s article published in 2020 in the wake of the 2020 UK-Investment Summit Trade between Africa and China rose to a record high in 2022, rising by 35%

Are Africans getting the right combination of COVID-19 vaccines?

March 1, 2022 No Comments

Updated Every Month March 1st marks one year since COVID-19 vaccines were first distributed by an African country. Since then, African countries have only been able to procure 633 million vaccines with over 60% of these doses already administered. To

Deep Dive of Financing Needs & Debt Vulnerabilities Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal & Côte d’Ivoire 2021

February 23, 2022 No Comments

New Report: Deep Dive of Financing Needs & Debt Vulnerabilities Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal & Côte d’Ivoire 2021 The COVID-19 pandemic has created new financing pressures amongst African countries, with countries having to finance socio-economic protection measures and vaccination rollouts, whilst

ECOWAS roundtable: Regional Infrastructure in West Africa

February 17, 2022 No Comments

On February 9th 2022, we hosted the second event of our Ambassadors Roundtable series with Ambassadors and their representatives of West Africa based in China. Co-ordinating across diplomatic missions in China, the focus of discussion was on regional infrastructure in

Brief: What is FOCAC8 and what does it mean for Africa-China trade and African-based businesses?

February 3, 2022 2 Comments

Who We Are? On November 29th, the Africa Reimagined team (some in Dakar and some in China) were eagerly awaiting President Xi Jinping’s speech at the opening ceremony of the eighth Ministerial Conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC8)

Speech: Five Steps for Africans to seize the FOCAC 2021 Opportunity

January 31, 2022 No Comments

Speech by Development Reimagined CEO, Hannah Ryder, at the 2nd China and International Development Forum, hosted by CAITEC. Full Speech Below Distinguished guests, Your excellencies, Vice President Yu Zirong, Chairperson Mao Xiaojing, Director General Wu Peng, Your Excellency Osman, Deputy

Infographic: African countries had to spend billions to manage COVID-19 in 2021

January 14, 2022 3 Comments

Our infographic series has demonstrated that in a number of ways, African countries are continuing to act in a globally responsible manner to manage COVID-19 despite constrained circumstances. This month, we uncover the finance that is still being spent to

African countries are being vilified for Omicron – here is the evidence how

December 15, 2021 No Comments

Updated Every Month During November 2021, the WHO announced a new COVID-19 variant of concern – B.1.1.529 – now known commonly as Omicron. First detected by South Africa and sequenced by Sikhulile Moyo, a researcher based in Botswana, over 11,000

Webinar: The Outcomes of FOCAC8

December 2, 2021 No Comments

This week, the 8th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was held in Dakar, Senegal from November 29th through to the 30th. The event saw several key new initiatives announced – including 1 billion vaccines to be made available by China

Is low vaccine access for African countries an anomaly? The data says no

November 18, 2021 No Comments

Updated Every Month African Statistics Day is celebrated on the 18 November every year and the use of good reliable data has never been more important. Our research on COVID-19 – utilising public data on case numbers, deaths, social distancing,

Policy Brief: Mapping the Future Options for China–Africa Trade

November 16, 2021 No Comments

Mapping the Future of China–Africa Relations: How the Continent can Benefit China is Africa’s largest trading partner, and deeper China–Africa engagement has the potential to transform the continent’s trade. The establishment of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is

Key Facts and Projects: Reimagining FOCAC engagement in a post-COVID-19 world

November 15, 2021 No Comments

FOCAC 2021- Bridging Partnerships for Deeper Cooperation Since the first Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, the China-Africa relationship has grown significantly, both in size and scope. FOCAC has been instrumental in coordinating and progressing the relationship, with

Report: Health Cooperation Under the FOCAC Umbrella

November 13, 2021 No Comments

With the 8th Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial Conference due to be held at the end of November 2021, Development Reimagined has been reflecting on past Africa-China cooperation under the FOCAC umbrella, as well as an exploring on

Report: Reimagining FOCAC Going Forwards

November 8, 2021 No Comments

How can both African and Chinese policy makers ensure that the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) contributes to supporting African countries to achieve their development goals sustainably? A new report by Development Reimagined (DR), as the first ever African-

Sino-Africa Cooperation: Corporate Social Responsibility Guide

November 3, 2021 No Comments

Now, more than ever, businesses no matter how large or small, and regardless of their industry, can contribute to sustainable development and the achievement of the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Global challenges – ranging from climate, water and

Report: Agricultural Cooperation Under the FOCAC Umbrella

November 3, 2021 No Comments

For the first time in a global context dramatically changed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2021 Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial Conference will be held in Senegal at the end of the year. The pandemic has had a

Reimagine Africa- China Cooperation

November 2, 2021 No Comments

2021 African Ambassadors Dinner Gala & Celebration On 28 October 2021, Development Reimagined organized the “2021 African Ambassadors Gala Dinner” in Beijing, in celebration of the “2021 African Ambassadors Virtual Retreat” hosted in September 2021. The dinner provided a unique and

China Social Impact Award Winners!

October 28, 2021 1 Comment

Who We Are? We are delighted to announce that Development Reimagined was recently awarded the Rural Revitalization award at the China Social Impact Awards for our contributions to Poverty Alleviation! Our flagship project, Africa Reimagined, was especially commended for supporting

Speech: Three proposals for China and Africa to live in peace with nature

October 22, 2021 No Comments

Speech by Development Reimagined CEO, Hannah Ryder, at the Nanjing Peace Forum. Full Speech Below Distinguished guests, Your excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, good morning good afternoon dajia shang wu hao, xia wu hao, and a huge thank you to the

The Virtual Dialogue on China-Africa Health Cooperation

October 12, 2021 No Comments

Bridging China-Africa health collaboration With COVID-19 threatening public health in countries and regions worldwide, international health cooperation is increasingly needed to recover from the pandemic, strengthen health systems and accelerate development. To enhance communication and cooperation on health between key

Designed to Disrupt 2.0. Africa Reimagined at The Second China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo

October 4, 2021 No Comments

Over the past few decades, it has become abundantly clear that ‘aid’ is not the only answer to Africa’s development. Solving economic and social challenges requires more than just financial aid, with an urgent need for structural change – in trade,

Designed to Disrupt 2.0: Africa Reimagined welcomes record crowds at the second China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo

September 28, 2021 1 Comment

Who We Are? Over the past few decades, it has become abundantly clear that ‘aid’ is not the only answer to Africa’s development. Solving economic and social challenges requires more than just financial aid, with an urgent need for structural change – in trade,

Speech: Forum On China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation

September 27, 2021 No Comments

Introducing Yenaé

September 25, 2021 No Comments

Who We Are? Yenaé is one of the 10 bespoke, sustainable African brands we are representing at the upcoming China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha during September 2021. Stay tuned for more information about the other unique African brands from

Introducing Kazi Yetu

September 25, 2021 No Comments

Who We Are? Kazi Yetu is one of the 10 bespoke, sustainable African brands we are representing at the upcoming China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha during September 2021. Stay tuned for more information about the other unique African

Introducing Artclub and Friends

September 25, 2021 No Comments

Who We Are? ARTCLUB AND FRIENDS is one of the 10 bespoke, sustainable African brands we are representing at the upcoming China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo in Changsha during September 2021. Stay tuned for more information about the other unique African

Event: 2021 African Ambassadors to China FOCAC Preparation Retreat

September 23, 2021 No Comments

FOCAC Preparation Retreat On September 9 & 10 2021, Development Reimagined hosted the second virtual African Ambassadors in China retreat to engage and share ideas regarding the forthcoming Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) meeting. The retreat covered three major

Speech: Sharing Digital Technology Dividends & Bridging the Digital Divide

September 22, 2021 No Comments

The China-Africa Internet Development And Cooperation Forum Speech by a senior African diplomat in China at the China-Africa Internet Development And Cooperation Forum in Beijing (August 2021). Recommendations by the Development Reimagined team for the FOCAC 2021 action plan are

ECOWAS Roundtable Discussion: Reimagining Financing In West Africa – Common Trends And Issues In China’s International Financing

August 27, 2021 No Comments

In July 2021, we hosted the first event of our Ambassadors Roundtable series with Ambassadors and their representatives of West Africa based in China. Co-ordinating across diplomatic missions in China, the focus of discussion was the challenges surrounding West African

Over half of African citizens could have been protected by now

August 20, 2021 No Comments

Updated Every Month To date, African countries have been able to secure just 121 million vaccine doses in order to minimise the effects of COVID-19. Of these, 72% have already been jabbed into arms, equating to just 1.8% of all

Policy Brief: China’s BRI and the AfCFTA: Potential Overlaps, Complementarities and Challenges

August 12, 2021 No Comments

In January this year, after several years of planning and negotiations, the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) was launched. This monumental agreement sets to boost intra-Africa trade and facilitate sustainable development across the continent, presenting a tremendous opportunity for

Event: African Needs Assessment under FOCAC

August 5, 2021 No Comments

African Needs Assessment under FOCAC On 30 July 2021, Development Reimagined supported a high-level consultation meeting “African Needs Assessment under FOCAC” organized by Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation (CAITEC), the only think tank and research body affiliated

Event: ECOWAS Roundtable Discussion: Reimagining Financing with China In West Africa

July 30, 2021 No Comments

Q&A: Kenya’s Ambassador to China Reflects on the Current State of Ties With Beijing

July 19, 2021 5 Comments

China-Kenya relations are at a critical stage as the two countries face enormous challenges related to debt sustainability, a severe trade imbalance, and the public health crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, Kenya remains a strategically vital country

African countries still have less than 2% of global vaccines!

July 13, 2021 No Comments

Updated Every Month Over the last three months, we have consistently shared the data that so far, Africa has received less than 2% of global vaccines. We’ve had people share our data and graphics, and call out how inequitable this

The Impact of China’s Financing for Coal on Climate Change and Agriculture in Africa

June 28, 2021 No Comments

Back in September 2020, President Xi Jinping announced China would aim for carbon neutrality by 2060, followed by setting more ambitious Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) for 2030. Such bold commitments appeared to reflect Beijing progressing towards adopting climate-friendly policies, premised on low-carbon and

Does China’s White Paper on Development Mean Anything for Africa?

June 28, 2021 No Comments

In January 2021, China finally published its White Paper on International Development Cooperation. I say finally because – having seen white papers on aid published in 2011 and 2014, some people at least had the expectation that the next in

From China-Africa to Africa-China: A Blueprint for a Green and Inclusive Continent-Wide African Strategy towards China

June 14, 2021 No Comments

It’s time to ask and it’s time to get – is the key message of a new Development Reimagined report, written with African leaders and policy makers in mind and also of huge interest to African NGOs and governments worldwide.

China has delivered more vaccines to Africa than COVAX, how?

June 7, 2021 No Comments

Updated Every Month Nearly 1.33 billion vaccine doses have been ordered by African countries and the African Union – that’s enough to fully vaccinate half of the population, getting close to herd immunity levels, but as of early June, African

Better Late Than Never: Can China Help Kenya Break The 2% Vaccine Wall?

June 4, 2021 1 Comment

After walking out of the COVID-19 vaccination clinic in Nairobi, with my arm slightly sore after receiving my first free dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine, I felt hopeful that this reflected a new stage in Kenya’s COVID-19 response. However, a

How Can African Countries Export More Agriculture to China?

May 21, 2021 1 Comment

I was recently out shopping in Hangzhou to buy a bottle of wine as a birthday gift for a friend. Now, I’m no wine connoisseur, so admittedly I struggled to pick one. But while scanning the shelves, I spotted a

China’s Model of Innovation: Are There Lessons for African Countries?

May 20, 2021 No Comments

Introduction:- Innovation is known to be important for productivity and economic growth, while intellectual property rights are, in conventional economics models, thought to spur innovation. Yet China, which averaged over 6 percent annual economic growth for three decades and is

Q&A: Is China Really Delivering for Senegal In the Fight Against COVID-19?

May 18, 2021 No Comments

As the co-chair for the upcoming 2021 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), Senegal is in a unique position to negotiate a better relationship with China as well as support other African countries to do so as well. At Development Reimagined,

New Report Aims to Stimulate Action by Global Health Organisations towards Decolonisation of the Global Health Sector

May 17, 2021 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic along with the Black Lives Matter movement has amplified the structural and institutional cases of racism, the “white gaze”, power imbalances and systemic lack of ownership in most if not all sectors – including the development and

Why have African countries administered only 1.5% of the world’s vaccines?

May 14, 2021 1 Comment

Updated Every Month Ever since the development of COVID-19 vaccines began, much ado has been made about the acquisition and distribution of vaccines to vulnerable African populations. But as our monthly report demonstrates with alarming clarity, the reality is very

China’s Role in “Decolonizing” Healthcare in Africa

May 12, 2021 7 Comments

I still remember the day I arrived in the quiet city of Natitingou, North-West Benin, after the 7000-mile journey from my hometown in China. I was to be a translator in a Chinese medical team deployed to the local hospital.

How Can China Support Vaccine Deployment in Zimbabwe?

April 30, 2021 No Comments

Notorious for its hyperinflation, and its status as the 10th most fragile country on the Fragile States Index, Zimbabwe is perhaps one of the last countries you would have expected to be proactive in vaccination rollout. Yet, not only was Zimbabwe one

Q&A: How the Chinese Private Sector Can Help Develop Pharmaceutical Production Capacity in Africa

April 23, 2021 No Comments

The COVID-19 pandemic has brought into sharp relief the highly unsustainable fact that African countries together import over 70% of all pharmaceutical and medical products. Yet, 34 out of 55 African countries have some level of pharmaceutical production, with countries offering an

Can Ugandan Coffee Be the Next “Coffee Success” Story in China?

April 16, 2021 No Comments

Who We Are? The coffee industry in China and Uganda are two very different stories. Here in Beijing, coffee shops are springing up all the time. Indeed, from 2008 to 2018, China’s coffee consumption increased by a whopping 1032%! The younger Chinese

How Would Africa Have Managed COVID-19 Without the Africa CDC? The Role of China

April 12, 2021 No Comments

Two types of images have dominated the global media’s coverage of Africa the past year. The first has been pictures of cargo planes packed with medical supplies, framing Africa’s COVID response as handled through foreign aid by partners such as

The Pandemic and Geopolitics Have Created New Opportunities For South African Wines in China

April 11, 2021 No Comments

Who We Are? COVID-19 has ravaged agricultural sectors across the world, with lockdowns, falling demand, and supply chain issues resulting in many producers unable to export their products. The South African wine market was thought to be no exception. But

Why have only 2 African countries vaccinated over 10% of their populations?

April 9, 2021 10 Comments

Updated Every Month Nearly 1.7 billion vaccine doses have been ordered by African countries and the African Union, but as of early April, only 5.7% of these have arrived, and of those, only 37% have actually been administered. While many

Creating a more more climate-conscious trade system in Africa

April 4, 2021 No Comments

As Development Reimagined, we recognize that the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) has the potential to create a more climate-conscious trade system across the continent. But more specifically we recognize the need to understand how climate change can impact

Q&A: Adding Value to Agricultural Exports to China Will be Key to Ethiopia’s Post-COVID Recovery

March 29, 2021 No Comments

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic is among the greatest challenges facing the global community today. While Ethiopia has had an overall successful response to the pandemic with a low rate of infections and deaths, the country has been negatively affected by

Will Chinese-Made COVID-19 Vaccines Find Acceptance in Nigeria?

March 16, 2021 No Comments

It is widely accepted that vaccination is one of the most important achievements in public health. Yet, in the face of this ‘consensus’, vaccines are constantly challenged by individuals and groups on religious, and even political grounds. The determinants around

It’s Been One-Year Since the First COVID Case in Africa: China’s Contribution & COVID Year in Review

March 15, 2021 No Comments

On February 14th, 2020, Africa’s first COVID-19 case was reported in Egypt. Since then, there has been widespread speculation about why Africa has not experienced a mass COVID-19 outbreak. At Development Reimagined, our analysis reveals there is no single ‘Africa

African countries have received less than 2% of vaccines they’ve ordered

March 3, 2021 No Comments

Updated Every Month 1 billion vaccine doses have been ordered by African countries and the African Union, but only 1.5% of these have been delivered so far. That’s not a headline you will read anywhere else. The news elsewhere is

“We cannot only look at China for financing, we need to look at FDI and trade”

February 15, 2021 No Comments

News from Ethiopia in early 2021 from many international media outlets has focused on whether the government will or will not ask for debt suspension or cancellation under a new framework that has been agreed by the Group of 20

Development Reimagined launches new Flagship Report for Reimagining the African Debt System

February 12, 2021 No Comments

As African countries continue to borrow billions of dollars internationally for a range of activities, including much-needed infrastructural development, in energy, transport, water and other sectors, servicing this debt can be challenging, and can hinder African countries’ fiscal space for

25 African countries don’t yet have vaccine orders – is this a problem or not?

February 4, 2021 1 Comment

Updated Every Month As analysts focused on African countries, we often see narratives that underplay and imply skepticism of the capacity of Africans to respond to COVID19. Most of this is simply unwarranted. When you look at the data –

Creating a Coalition of the willing to decolonise the global health sector

January 14, 2021 No Comments

In the wake of COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement, it has become evident that the global health sector is plagued by problems of racism – both in terms of prejudice and power. Reports of serious harassment and discrimination

Africa’s been constrained. It’s time to change that

January 13, 2021 2 Comments

“Is a new debt crisis mounting in Africa?” “Africa’s debt crisis hampers its fight against covid-19” and “African nations sitting on debt volcano” These are all headlines from as far back as August 2019 , from various international and African

Which African countries will get COVID19 vaccines in 2021, and from where?

January 8, 2021 2 Comments

Updated Every Month Last year, in 2020, we were the first to comprehensively track the impact of COVID19 across Africa with this regular infographics series. We not only published these week after week – a total 23 editions in both

New brief explores the potential of digital trade to support poverty reduction in Africa

January 6, 2021 No Comments

How can e-commerce support poverty reduction? Watch our video to discover more! Global e-commerce sales surged to US$25.6 trillion in 2018, up 8 percent from 2017. Leading the way are China (US$1.5 trillion), the United States (US$600 billion), and the

Development Reimagined launches “Africa Unconstrained – Perspectives on the Continent’s New Era”

January 5, 2021 No Comments

The economic effects of COVID-19 have dominated the attention of all governments and international bodies throughout 2020. In relation to African countries, opinion shapers, experts, and journalists have focused on phrases such as debt crisis, debt diplomacy, debt forgiveness and

Rise of Special Economic Zones in Africa: Can Agricultural Processing Be the Next SEZ Success Story?

December 28, 2020 No Comments

Image: A woman farmer who works in the maize fields on the Canhumbuca Farm in Huambo, Angola © Anita Baumann (World Bank Blogs) “There is no one model of development” is one of the key principles, we, the team at Development Reimagined,

Could debt relief by China have a sustained impact on Africa’s Covid-19 recovery?

December 11, 2020 No Comments

We have been tracking African governments actions since the outbreak of the Covid-19 pandemic, and calculate that currently, African countries are spending around 2.5% of GDP to combat Covid-19’s impacts. While this is this is significantly below spending by other

From the Soil: Can Private Money Really Cut poverty?

December 4, 2020 No Comments

Hannah Ryder, CEO Development Reimagined visited Sangua, or ‘Three Melon Community’ in Anhui Province, to understand how private capital can support poverty reduction? Can the same be done elsewhere? Watch her vlog to find out! On November 23, 2020 China announced

Infographic: Can Africa be hopeful about a vaccine?

December 2, 2020 9 Comments

Over the last two weeks, news of potential new vaccines to stop the spread of #COVID19 have dominated headlines. Moderna, Pfizer and Astra-Zeneca have all made press-releases about their effectiveness in trials. Chinese firms – such as Sinovac and Sinopharm

Q&A: Improving Trilateral Development Cooperation Among China, African Governments and External Partners

November 30, 2020 1 Comment

China’s medical supplies for 18 African countries arrive at the Kotota International Airport in Accra, capital of Ghana, April 6, 2020. (Xinhua/Xu Zheng) Trilateral cooperation, a buzzword in the field of aid and development cooperation, refers to a “development relationship

A future COVID19 African debt crisis?

November 15, 2020 1 Comment

Updated Every Two Weeks This week, we saw a major dispute unfold between Zambia and private sector lenders, who rejected the government’s request for a 6 month payment holiday, due to Zambia’s needs to spend on COVID19 management. The private

Can African-Sino Agri-Health Cooperation Champion Green Recovery?

November 11, 2020 No Comments

For a moment it would seem that climate change has taken a backseat in the midst of a global pandemic, yet we are increasingly seeing the need to make linkages between COVID-19 response and climate action policies. What has been

Chinese Farmers Are Now Selling More Online. Can “E-Commerce for Agriculture” Also Work in Africa?

November 1, 2020 10 Comments

In China, e-commerce is everywhere. Walk down any street in a busy city and you come across “Kuaidi” drivers delivering parcels or advertisements for online “Taobao” shops. But beyond China’s bustling cities, e-commerce has a profound impact on job creation

Speech: “FOCAC at 20”

November 1, 2020 9 Comments

Zhunjing de ge wei laibin, nushimen, xiangshimen, pengyoumen, da jia hão! Vice President Lu Cairong Chairperson Frolick Ambassador Zhao YanBo Distinguished Excellencies, guests ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, it is a pleasure to be here and I would like to

Infographic: Will the 2021 IMF Forecasted Growth Rates for African Countries Impact COVID19 Recovery?

October 29, 2020 15 Comments

This week, alongside our usual examination of COVID19 cases across Africa as well as support that other development partners are providing to African countries, we take an in-depth look at the recently published World Economic Outlook by the International Monetary

COVID19 Vaccine: The Reality of Equal Access and what it means for countries across the continent

October 13, 2020 1 Comment

NOW Updated Every Two Weeks We believe there is an intrinsic relationship between the rigorous COVID19 testing done and the vaccine rollout. The ability to detect the number of active cases through testing will determine how extensive the vaccine rollout

Q&A: Can Tanzania Resume and Reimagine Agricultural Trade With China in a Post-COVID-19 World?

October 12, 2020 No Comments

(Photo credit: Willem Van Cotthem 2016- Smallholder Sesame farmer in Tanzania) With the COVID-19 crisis disrupting regional and global trade, the Development Reimagined team spoke with H.E Mbelwa Kairuki, Tanzania’s ambassador to China, to get his take on Sino-Tanzania trade

Chinese workers in Africa- What’s the real story?

October 8, 2020 No Comments

In order to mitigate the ongoing impact of COVID-19, it will be essential to reignite growth – in particular trade, finance and people flows to, from and between African countries. Much of these flows rely on increased infrastructure and connectivity, as well

Will Africa’s First Free Trade Agreement With China Actually Help Africa?

October 2, 2020 6 Comments

Famed for its natural beauty, surrounded by nothing but the Indian Ocean, tiny in size yet densely populated, understanding how Mauritius managed to become the most developed, diversified, and competitive economy in Africa is worth exploring. Overall, Mauritius’s economic growth

Fresh or Frozen: Should Kenya and China Renegotiate Their 2019 “Avocado Deal”?

October 2, 2020 3 Comments

Whether it is ordering a vegetarian wrap or having a healthy fruit and veggie smoothie, the most sought after ingredient I crave for is avocado! Today, be it Beijing or Shanghai, restaurant chains and smoothie bars, are now catering to

COVID19 in Africa: Now comes the Harder Work

September 20, 2020 6 Comments

NOW Updated Every Two Weeks As we analysed two weeks ago, the “good news” appearing from the continent in relation to COVID19 cases is continuing. Africa as a whole is making up a decreasing percentage of the world’s COVID19 cases

Where will Africa’s students study abroad in post-COVID19 times?

September 8, 2020 No Comments

It’s that time of the year when university students move around the world in pursuit of their dreams, including over a quarter of a million African students. But 2020/2021 could be very different because of COVID19. Students are the world’s

COVID19 in Africa: Is the crisis over? Or has it just begun?

September 1, 2020 No Comments

NOW Updated Every Two Weeks We’ve been taking a bit of a break from our infographics covering COVID19 developments in African countries, and as we resumed this week we noticed some “good news” appearing from the continent. For example, yesterday,

Is Paying for Fertilizer the Answer To Advancing African Agribusiness? Lessons From China

August 28, 2020 No Comments

Agriculture is an important piece of Africa’s development puzzle. Resource-wise, the continent is blessed with 60% of the world’s arable land, yet only 17% of the world population. Dependency-wise, Africa is largely sustained by agriculture, with two-thirds of the population

Sino-Africa Dialogue on Challenges and Cooperation in Pandemic Times

August 13, 2020 No Comments

August 11th 2020 “Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the Sino-Africa cooperation is at a defining moment in which it has the potential to help propel African countries towards sustainable development.” This was one of the most echoed sentiments from the ‘Sino-Africa

Potential for Dairy-led Development Cooperation Between China and Africa

August 10, 2020 No Comments

Blue skies and cows grazing on pristine green pastures. Smiling celebrities. Cultural heritage sites and healthy lifestyle motifs. Milk products with these images fly off the shelves in China. It’ s ultra-high temperature (UHT) long-life milk, stocking refrigerators and stacked

Q&A: Measuring the Effectiveness of Chinese Agricultural Assistance in Africa

August 4, 2020 No Comments

China has a long history of involvement in agriculture in Africa. As far back as 1959, China offered food grants to Guinea, and especially since the 2007 introduction of China’s “Agriculture Going Out” initiatives – a set of policies that

COVID19 in Africa: Can early momentum be maintained?

August 1, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly This week, African countries recorded more recoveries relative to the rest of the world than recorded new COVID19 cases. That said, Africa now, as a whole, makes up almost 5% of the world’s COVID19 cases. Over 6 days,

Can African countries deal with COVID19 into the long-term?

July 24, 2020 9 Comments

Updated Weekly Do you want to know how your country is coping with COVID19? And how your African neighbours are coping in comparison? Is your government doing all it can to learn the best lessons and provide the best guidelines

COVID19 in Africa: When can Africa reopen to the rest of the world?

July 17, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly 84% of Africa’s #COVID19 cases have occurred – so far in just 10 countries. This is important. For the other 45 African countries, #COVID19 has been a huge economic shock, but it has not – at least so far

Q&A: Is China Helping or Hindering Africa’s Efforts to Future-proof Food Security?

July 13, 2020 No Comments

How to ensure food security on the African continent is a major question for African policy makers, businesses and the international community. A recent report by Mckinsey highlighted that 650–670 million people in Africa, roughly half the population, already face

It’s time to find new solutions to finance Africa’s COVID19 fight

July 10, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly It’s been 5 months since the 1st COVID19 case was detected on the African continent. How are African countries coping? Our weekly update provides a great, unique snapshot of the progress so far and the challenges building up…

COVID19 in Africa: What is the real narrative?

July 3, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly We have been tracking the spread of COVID19 in African countries for over 4 months now, soon after the first case was recorded in Egypt on 14th February 2020. We have also been tracking the response of African

Traditional Chinese Medicine is Gaining Traction in Africa. Can it Also Help in the Fight Against COVID-19?

June 29, 2020 2 Comments

As COVID-19 has ravaged the globe, governments have had to face the grim reality of overwhelmed medical systems. The impact has been morbid, with over 7 million confirmed cases and over 400,000 deaths worldwide. In the absence of therapeutics or

Is more poverty in Africa an inevitable outcome of COVID19?

June 26, 2020 7 Comments

Updated Weekly What is the latest update on #COVID19 cases and responses across #African countries? As usual, our weekly infographic is here to help you digest the key headlines quickly, with additional analysis to bring out information you won’t find

Africa’s COVID19 Tests and Deaths: Why so different?

June 19, 2020 1 Comment

Updated Weekly This week could mark an important shift for African citizens health-wise. This week saw the African Union launch the African procurement platform, which is aimed at making sure African governments can get easier and faster access to the

“China’s Aid from the bottom up” providing data driven research on Chinese Development Cooperation

June 13, 2020 No Comments

China is one of the best-known emerging powers in international development cooperation. In 2014, China’s aid flows were officially estimated at over US$4 billion a year—similar volumes to Canada and Norway, and about a third of the size of the

Is Africa drowning in COVID19 debt?

June 12, 2020 1 Comment

Updated Weekly There is one word this week that we have been hearing a great deal. Debt. Concerns are being expressed by many international development organisations about the potential for a debt crisis, especially given the World Bank’s gloomy update

Success v failure: Is there one Africa COVID19 story?

June 3, 2020 1 Comment

Updated Weekly Over the past few months, as we have scored through and collated the data from a huge number of sources, to share our weekly updates on what African countries are doing to tackle COVID19, we have noticed that

COVID-19: How Can China Help African Countries Have a Stake in the Race for a Vaccine?

June 1, 2020 No Comments

Six months after the emergence of COVID-19 in Wuhan, China, the global effort to develop appropriate vaccines and treatments is continuing at a pace. The WHO report that there are now 125 candidate vaccines in development, including 10 in clinical

Which African countries are most vulnerable and resilient to the global COVID19 slowdown?

May 28, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly Last week, our regular infographic update highlighted the actions and challenges African countries are facing in directly managing the COVID19 health crisis. This week, prompted by a concern that economic woes on the continent appear to be being

Which African countries are winning the COVID19 fight, and how?

May 19, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly As world leaders meet virtually for the World Health Assembly this week, is it premature to be talking about winning the COVID19 fight? Over the past few months, as we have provided our weekly updates on what African

Are African countries getting enough support to deal with COVID19?

May 12, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly It’s been close to three months since the first COVID19 case was detected on the African continent. Over those three months we have seen some fairly unprecedented changes in global markets – for instance negative oil prices –

China’s Agricultural Technology Demonstration Centers: Do They Help Africa’s Food Security Needs?

May 11, 2020 2 Comments

As COVID-19 spreads across the African continent, an African Union report has suggested that the outbreak could lead to a serious food security crisis in Africa, with as estimated 2.6% to 7% decline in agricultural production predicted for 2020. The

COVID-19: Impacts on African economies – economic challenges and social safety net responses

May 6, 2020 No Comments

An activist explains how to wear a face mask in Nairobia’s Mathare slum. Photo Credit: Fredrik Lernery/AFP/Getty Policy Brief: COVID-19- Impacts on African economies April 2020 The impacts of the “COVID-19 shock” on African economies are unfolding rapidly and can be

Are African countries easing lockdown too early?

May 5, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly As part of our now regular series of infographics on how COVID19 is affecting the African continent, and how governments in the 55 countries are responding, this week we provide an update on what preventive measures African countries

Client spotlight – Mafi Mafi repurposes fashion for PPE in Ethiopia

April 28, 2020 No Comments

Mafi Mafi’s Mahlet Afework on Supporting Her Community Through the Production of Face Masks The Ethiopian brand, Mafi Mafi, led by designer Mahlet Afework, has been a staple in the countries’ fashion industry since 2011. Her designs merge contemporary styles

How much are African countries spending to help the poorest deal with COVID19?

April 27, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly COVID19 first entered the African continent on 14th February 2020, and since then many African governments have been responding with both speed and determination. Last week, we explored what governments are doing to “flatten the COVID19 curve”. This

Are African countries flattening the COVID-19 curve?

April 20, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly For the last two weeks we have been publishing infographics on how COVID19 is affecting the African continent, and how governments in the 55 countries are responding. Last week, we explored what measures are being introduced to support

Ask our partner: What are Chinese private companies doing, if anything, to help fight COVID-19 in African countries?

April 20, 2020 No Comments

As an African-led wholly foreign-owned company in China, Development Reimagined is often asked to support Chinese companies with understanding African markets better. Right now, due to rising cases of people with COVID-19 around the world as well as more recently

South-South Cooperation on Climate Change and Environment

April 14, 2020 No Comments

December 2019 During the last quarter of 2019, the Foreign and Economic Cooperation Office (FECO) of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) held a series of two-week intensive training Courses on “Climate Change and Green & Low-Carbon Development” in

How are African countries dealing with COVID-19’s economic impacts?

April 13, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly Last week, out of a frustration with the lack of coverage and understanding by our clients as well as the public on how COVID19 is affecting the African continent, we published an infographic that showed how the 55

How is COVID-19 affecting Africa? Our Analysis in Numbers

April 4, 2020 No Comments

Updated Weekly Over the last few weeks, we have seen many think-tanks, consultancies and experts sharing information around COVID19 cases in Asia, Europe and the United States. But what about the African continent? How are the 55 countries in Africa

How can Development Reimagined help YOU successfully respond to the COVID-19 outbreak?

April 1, 2020 No Comments

How can Development Reimagined help YOU successfully respond to the COVID-19 outbreak? Having access to the right information in a timely and consistent matter allows us to better understand the world around us and subsequently how to adjust our policies

From Ebola to COVID-19: 4 Lessons China Can Apply to its Response in Africa

March 30, 2020 15 Comments

Chinese military medical personnel attending a patient at a hospital in Freetown during the height of the Ebola crisis in Liberia in December 2014. Photo via Xinhua. Over the last few weeks, we have seen various Chinese actors launch significant

China’s Coronavirus Slowdown: Which African Economies Will Be Hit Hardest?

March 23, 2020 No Comments

File photo, Kenyan nurse Lucy Kanyi demonstrates to media the facilities and protective equipment to be used to isolate and treat coronavirus cases, at the infectious disease unit of Kenyatta National Hospital in the capital Nairobi, Kenya. Credit: AP Photo/Patrick Ngugi,

COVID-19 is only slowly reaching Africa. That’s no surprise

March 13, 2020 1 Comment

A woman wearing mask and gloves at Tunisia Airport Photo Credit: REUTERS/Zoubeir Souissi There are only a few cases of Coronavirus reported in Africa, but history shows us that this is to be expected. The COVID-19 outbreak is currently sweeping

Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak

March 10, 2020 No Comments

DR China-Africa knowledge demonstrated As an African organisation based in Beijing, Development Reimagined (DR) is highly informed and up to date with key data and information in the Africa-China relationship. In recent weeks DR analysis on the China-Africa relationship and

Could the Coronavirus lead to a change of Africa-China trade patterns?

February 12, 2020 No Comments

A security personnel wearing protective clothing to help stop the spread of a deadly SARS-like virus which originated in the central city of Wuhan is seen at the entrance of subway station in Beijing on January 28, 2020. Photo Credit:

Africa’s Coronavirus Challenge

February 11, 2020 No Comments

The decision whether to evacuate their citizens from China is just the first hurdle for African countries amid the outbreak To evacuate or not to evacuate. That is the question. African governments are currently struggling to decide whether to evacuate

Geographical Indications: An Opportunity for Africa to Add Value to Exports

January 24, 2020 9 Comments

This week, the United Kingdom held the UK-Africa Investment Summit, whereby the country committed to strengthening its economic partnerships with African nations and announced commitments to support job creation, trade and investment across Africa, including a £20 million programme that

From Fake to Great – New study on Protecting Intellectual Property Rights Online in China

December 11, 2019 No Comments

Online Counterfeit In China – Could the EU Memoranda of Understanding approach help, and if so – how? We all know that China has grown rapidly over the last 40 years, with the result that over 800 million people have lifted

2019 Development Leaders Conference

December 3, 2019 No Comments

Building Partnerships for Development Cooperation The Center for Global Development’s (CGD) 2019 Development Leaders Conference, co-hosted with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), in Beijing, China, convened Heads and Directors of development cooperation agencies and ministries from around the world.

Opening Speech: Development Leaders Conference 2019

November 18, 2019 No Comments

President Jin Liqun, President Ahmed, Distinguished leaders, guests, ladies and gentlemen, It is an absolute honor to welcome you all to this conference. Thank you in particular to those who have travelled literally across the globe to be here. I

Countries along the Belt and Road- What does it all mean?

September 26, 2019 1 Comment

The Development Reimagined Infographic series explores which countries are and aren’t signed up to China’s flagship Belt and Road Initiative Announced in 2013 by Chinese President Xi Jinping, The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has promised new business and development

From the soil: How one village cut poverty through…flowers?

September 20, 2019 No Comments

Hannah Ryder, CEO Development Reimagined explores how one village in China, that initially grew just one crop, has cut poverty in just a decade… but will it last? Can the same be done elsewhere? Watch her vlog to find out!

Speech: Caught in between the West vs China – can Africa rise to the play?

August 22, 2019 1 Comment

Good afternoon everyone. The title of the keynote I’ve been asked to give to you today is “caught in between the West vs China – can Africa rise to the play?” The way I interpret this is how African countries

african brands at the world economic forums annual meeting of new champions

July 29, 2019 No Comments

Who We Are? During our pilot programme, the brands also attended the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting of New Champions, where they met successful China-based entrepreneurs and international renowned businesses, as well as leaders in innovation, technology and science. Here,

Sustainable Special Economic Zones –A New Drive for Promoting Light Manufacturing in Kenya and Ethiopia

July 23, 2019 No Comments

Over the past 5 years the East African region has been benefiting from increased trade due to growing FDI into the region, driven primarily by new players such as China alongside a vibrant economy. However, this growth has produced a dilemma

Designed to Disrupt: Development Reimagined brings Sustainable African Brands to China

July 17, 2019 No Comments

Development Reimagined helping put trade at the heart of sustainable development in Africa At Development Reimagined we firmly believe that ‘aid’ or development cooperation is not the only answer to sustainable development in Africa. Solving economic and social problems in

What impact is the G20 having on African trade? Exclusive Analysis

June 24, 2019 3 Comments

Development Reimagined’s infographic series Trade is always changing. It’s a fact of life. According to economic theory, there will always be some countries or areas that have advantages – cost and efficiency wise – in producing certain goods over others.

Development Reimagined CEO shares Vision for Trilateral Cooperation on the Belt and Road

May 10, 2019 No Comments

On April 27th China Daily, China’s state-owned English language newspaper, hosted the sixth session of Vision China, a TED-Style event themed “Belt and Road, Shared Future” in Beijing. The event coincided with the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) for International Cooperation, also held

China’s Debt Relief along the Belt and Road – What’s the Story?

April 25, 2019 No Comments

Development Reimagined’s infographic series With the second Belt and Road Forum (BRF) kicking off, all eyes are on China to understand more about the far- reaching Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the potential impacts and opportunities for developing countries.

Making China’s Markets work for the Poor in African Countries

March 20, 2019 No Comments

The world is currently on its tiptoes, wondering what the outcomes of the US-China trade discussions will be. Many commentators are also concerned about the state of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), created just less than 25 years ago, and

My new year’s resolution: Why I’m banning “The West”

January 14, 2019 1 Comment

One of the greatest aspects of being a parent is having your child question the way you look at the world. Even more so bringing up a child in Beijing, where toys, for instance, are designed with the Chinese market

Who is looking out for African companies in China?

December 31, 2018 1 Comment

This year I got a great, albeit unusual Christmas present. On Christmas Day, my company, Development Reimagined – the first Kenyan Wholly Foreign Owned Enterprise in Beijing – was accepted as a member of the China Africa Business Council (CABC)

Dr. Okonjo-Iweala puts her Lens on: China, climate and corruption

December 18, 2018 No Comments

“The average global tenure for a Finance Minister is two years…I made it seven very tough years!”- Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, talks China, climate and corruption On December 5th 2018 Development Reimagined convened the inaugural event of the ‘DR Lens On: Global

Press Release: New report aims to inspire more investment from China into Africa’s pharmaceutical sector

December 4, 2018 No Comments

A new report launched today by UNAIDS and the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Medicines and Health Products (CCCMHPIE) highlights the vastopportunities for Chinese pharmaceutical companies to relocate their manufacturing to African countries, not only to

Ask Our Client: Working with China to end AIDs in Africa? Why?

December 1, 2018 No Comments

Today marks the annual ‘World AIDS Day’, and therefore also marks a perfect time to reflect on a series of projects that Development Reimagined delivered for UNAIDS China this year in a bid to break down silos and facilitate catalytic

Industrialization – Why African countries can’t directly copy China’s experience

November 20, 2018 No Comments

African countries are seeking to industrialize. From Addis Ababa to Dakar, Cape Town to Cairo, the impetus to manufacture is now a priority for much of the continent. As the President of the African Development Bank Akinwumi Adesina put it:

Event: Development Reimagined Convenes Post-FOCAC Retreat for African Ambassadors Held In Beijing

October 29, 2018 No Comments

Development Reimagined Convenes Post-FOCAC Retreat for African Ambassadors On October 27th 2018, at the request of several Ambassadors of African countries based in Beijing, Development Reimagined convened a first-of-its-kind retreat for Ambassadors and a small group of select and high-level

Infographic: Who’s helping young African people become global citizens?

September 9, 2018 1 Comment

The African continent is home to 16% of the world’s population and 19% of its youth. We often hear the negative side of this – with young people making up 60% of unemployed Africans, with youth unemployment over 30% in North

Brief: Is FOCAC Unique? Read our new Background Brief

August 28, 2018 No Comments

Having kept the meeting date hush-hush until just two weeks ago, governments across the African continent are preparing their final briefings and security plans for the seventh Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) Ministerial, and Third FOCAC Summit. To be

Report: Development Reimagined analysis cited in new FOCAC Reporting Guide

August 28, 2018 No Comments

Over the past few years, a range of consultancies and think-tanks have sprung up to build bridges between and support China Africa relationships. While we also focus on other topics, Development Reimagined is proud to be one of these organisations,

The African Health Market Opportunity – Scaling up China’s South South Cooperation through UNAIDS

July 16, 2018 No Comments

Health policy plays a major role in many African countries development plans. And many African countries have recently made commitments to create and nurture well-functioning pharmaceutical industries to provide medicines to their own, growing populations. Health has also been a

Our Expert Explains: What’s so special about China’s Cultural Institutes?

July 10, 2018 No Comments

Here at Development Reimagined, we regularly bring in talented young people to join our team as well as do internships with us. They are from all over. One of our top talents, Joshua Nederhood, recently worked on a new infographic

Our Expert Explains: A trade war between the US and Rwanda? Why?

July 10, 2018 No Comments

Anyone working in development now knows these days that manufacturing, or industrialization is central to the majority of African countries these days. Here at Development Reimagined, we regularly work with many partners on industrialization, in particular the Made in Africa

Should they stay or should they go? Our second infographic explores term limits and development

June 12, 2018 No Comments

When we advise Chinese companies going abroad, especially to African countries, one of the first questions they ask is: “Is the country stable?”. We in Development Reimagined know that by “stability” many companies are not necessarily referring to what other

Debt from China in developing countries – a problem or a life-line? Uncovering the real story

June 5, 2018 No Comments

Since the 1970s, many developing countries around the world have taken up a range of loans from Chinese banks, in particular to finance much needed infrastructure projects – from buildings to power stations, to new roads and railways. However, little

Speech: Making Africa Move – The New Belt and Road Opportunity

May 22, 2018 No Comments

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, good morning! It is my honor to be here today, I am the CEO of an international development consultancy called Rui Na Xin (Development Reimagined), and the former deputy country director for UNDP here in

Speech: The Africa China Child turns 18 – What Next?

May 21, 2018 No Comments

Good afternoon distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen! Thank you so much to Kente and Silk for organising this event, China-Africa Stories, and for the kind invitation to speak today. I must apologise that I was not able to join and

Why poor countries won’t lose out from the US-China Trade War

April 26, 2018 No Comments

A Kenyan saying goes, “When two elephants fight, it’s the grass that suffers”. News headlines over the past few weeks have been dominated by two “elephants”, the US and China, and what looks like the beginning of a protracted trade war between

Speech: Bringing the “us” to Global Cooperation

April 12, 2018 No Comments

Thank you so much for the honour and invitation to give the dinner speech today. This is my third year of joining the Yenching symposium in as many years of being in China, and as always it is wonderful to

Development Reimagined supports Beijing’s first Africa Week

February 15, 2018 No Comments

Introduction: Development Reimagined supports Beijing’s first Africa Week. Development Reimagined is one of the sponsors of the week, amongst others such as OFO, Hotel Jen and many more. In particular, we have supported the sifting of applicants for a start-up

Press Release: Can China really help poorer countries solve environmental problems? New report says an emphatic “yes”

February 15, 2018 No Comments

For nearly three decades now, 11 July has been marked as World Population Day, to raise awareness about shifting global populations and their implications. In many parts of the world, expanding middle classes are creating increased demand for electric appliances

Who does China prioritise? Our first infographic sheds some light

January 30, 2018 5 Comments

Whether you see it as taking place at the beginning of the calendar year or at the end of the Chinese year, the now annual visit by the Chinese Foreign Minister to the African continent is a remarkable tradition. Alongside

Opinion: They may not say it, but many countries do treat Africans like Trump

January 23, 2018 4 Comments

The American President’s comment on “shithole” countries may have shocked the world but it is not the first time I have been made to feel that the African continent is viewed negatively. There has been a great deal of public

Op-Ed: The China Factor in Kenya and Zimbabwe

December 24, 2017 No Comments

Ask anyone with a basic knowledge of Africa which country is more poised for success – Zimbabwe or Kenya – and he or she will undoubtedly answer “Kenya.” Events of the last week would seem to confirm that verdict. On

Development Reimagined part of a new foreign start up rush

November 16, 2017 No Comments

Why get a foeign start-up going in China? Development Reimagined was very pleased to be featured in a flagship programme by China’s Global Television Network (CGTN) called “New Money”, which explored this question. Have a quick watch of the video

Scoping out a south-south cooperation pilot project with China on environmentally-friendly air cooling

October 12, 2017 No Comments

Since its agreement in 1987, the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer has become the most successful international environmental agreement. The protocol has not only had great success in meeting its stated objectives, but also driven major

How can Brazil and China support entrepreneurs around the world?

September 2, 2017 No Comments

Our CEO, Hannah Wanjie Ryder, featured as one of the keynote speakers at the first ever “Brazil + China Challenge Forum” – a global Forum aiming to kick-start a new agenda for development, in the margins of the 10th BRICS

Opinion: Peacekeeping – how do others compare to China?

August 4, 2017 No Comments

Here in China it’s been impossible to miss the fact that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) is celebrating its 90th anniversary this week. There’s been a grand parade, numerous articles about its history and new endeavors – for example

The Imperialist People’s Republic of Africa?

July 13, 2017 No Comments

A few months ago, a New York Times magazine cover was emblazoned with the question “Is China the World’s New Colonial Power?” The notion that China is a twenty-first-century colonizer is not new: commentators have been batting it around for

Speech: Creating jobs and entrepreneurs along the Belt and Road – how can China help?

July 3, 2017 No Comments

Creating jobs and entrepreneurs is key for sustainable development; At least three ways China can use the Belt and Road Initiaitve to create jobs and entrepreneurs across the world; China’s local governments should use “going out” strategically to innovate and

Opinion: What an economist’s journeys tell us about Kenya’s new China-built train

May 31, 2017 No Comments

As a small child growing up in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, our annual family holiday to the beautiful beaches of Mombasa always began and ended with a degree of trepidation. My sister and I would jump into the car and

Can China’s civil society organisations bark like two dogs?

May 31, 2017 No Comments

In Beijing, today is the annual deadline every dog owner dreads – registration time. As this handy guide sets out, if owners don’t register their dogs by the end of May, the dogs risk being taken away as strays. Not

testing the market showcasing african brands at the first china africa import expo

May 22, 2017 No Comments

Who We Are? At Africa Reimagined we firmly believe that ‘aid’ or development cooperation is not the best answer to sustainable development in Africa. Solving economic and social problems in poor and middle-income countries requires structural change – in trade, investment, and

Opinion: How can African countries get the most from Belt and Road?

May 18, 2017 No Comments

Living in China, it’s been impossible to miss the country’s first ever Belt and Road Forum (BRF). The forum concluded on Monday, with outputs including a detailed declaration and numerous — over 270 — bilateral deals in areas such as

Mo-bike – the development dream?

May 1, 2017 No Comments

I remember the day I noticed mo-bikes, the new shared bikes that have literally taken over several cities in China. They had this attractive bright orange design, and I would spot them parked in random places, rather than dedicated bike

Speech: China-Africa reporting needs more oil!

April 19, 2017 No Comments

尊敬的各位来宾，女士们, 先生们, 大家下午好！Wanawake na mabwana, Habari zenu! Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. It is a real pleasure to be here today to open this first ever award ceremony aiming to both recognise and incentivise the best Chinese reporting on my

Op-Ed: The End of Poverty in China?

April 1, 2017 No Comments

One of the most cited statistics about China may well be the number of Chinese who have been lifted out of poverty over the last 35 years. At over 800 million, it is a huge number – and an extraordinary

Evaluating a project to help Indonesian journalists better understand and communicate about climate change

February 15, 2017 No Comments

Introduction: Evaluating a project to help Indonesian journalists better understand and communicate about climate change. Climate change is a complex but critical issue, affecting every person on this earth in different ways depending primarily on their geographical location, income and

Opinion: A champion of globalisation? A response to Trump’s travel ban would show China’s real intentions

February 15, 2017 No Comments

“Pursuing protectionism is like locking oneself in a dark room” was one of the many memorable quotations from President Xi Jinping’s historic speech at the World Economic Forum in Davos, just under a month ago. It was the first time

Opinion: Is China really helping Africa?

January 16, 2017 No Comments

There is no doubt that relations between China and African countries are becoming ever more intertwined and important. In what has now become an annual tradition to visit Africa as a priority continent at the beginning of the year, Foreign

Will China’s social media fly global in 2017?

January 9, 2017 No Comments

The beginning of the year – Western or Chinese – always means its resolution time. For the year of the rooster, I’ve been toying with the idea of trying to cut my social media addiction, which has really grown over

Who’s got the bargaining power?

December 12, 2016 1 Comment

As part of my preparation to return to work early next year, I have recently started the search for someone to look after my son full-time during the day. Being in Beijing, I don’t have the same network of family

To heat or not to heat?

November 7, 2016 No Comments

I’ve recently discovered that my 5 month-old son is quite sensitive to cold. As temperatures have dipped in Beijing, he, my husband and I have therefore had two weeks of sleepless nights. But why haven’t we switched on the heating

Belt and Road… Reminds me of…

September 23, 2016 1 Comment

There’s a song by one of my favourite RnB artists Usher, called “You remind me“. In it, Usher tells a new girlfriend that she’s like a previous girlfriend that he fell in love with, who treated him badly. His question is

Summits as game-changers? Really?

May 16, 2016 No Comments

Late last year and early this year African heads of state and Government leaders gathered together at two key events. The first was the 6th summit of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). The second was the 26th African

Hairstyles and the G20 – what to pick in China?

December 2, 2015 No Comments

Most women, if and when they can, love visiting the hairdresser, especially if the results are good. It’s usually a time to get pampered, and also get an update on the latest styles and gossip. During my last visit, I

One mountain, two tigers

October 5, 2015 No Comments

I’ve recently celebrated my first anniversary of working in China, and I can wholeheartedly say it has been fantastic so far. In particular I have been lucky enough to be surrounded by supportive and enthusiastic colleagues. To be very honest,

If you don’t ask, you don’t get

June 9, 2015 No Comments

June is always a busy month for my family, as three of us have a birthday in the space of two weeks. Father’s day also takes place in June, and it’s also my husband and my wedding anniversary. There is

Masks in Beijing? Try Nairobi

April 25, 2015 No Comments

Before I arrived in Beijing, many friends warned me about one major issue: air pollution. They – and articles such as this in the UK’s Guardian newspaper – warned me so much that I had this idea that once I

What’s win-win about animals?

February 3, 2015 No Comments

As a relative newcomer to China, I do my best to read as much as I can of other people’s perspectives about China. One magazine I often enjoy is “World of Chinese”, a bi-monthly publication, helpfully written in English as

Is your relationship with China better than mine?

January 20, 2015 No Comments

Just a few weeks ago, my sister got married. The wedding was beautiful, her husband is an absolutely wonderful man from Uganda, and my two other sisters and I were bridesmaids. But there was one problem. I found myself comparing

Change is in the Air for 2015

December 17, 2014 No Comments

Throughout my career, I’ve worked in large organisations. And every single large organisation – from highly profitable businesses to multilateral institutions – goes through swings and cycles of “change processes”. The organisation I work in now, UNDP, has just gone

Making APEC Blue Go Global

November 16, 2014 No Comments

This month, I had my first visitor to Beijing. My mother-in-law joined me for ten days. Luckily enough, we get on very well, so we had a great time. I prepared a packed itinerary covering her two weekends here, and

Training as if China isn’t a Country

October 9, 2014 No Comments

Africa isn’t a country. It’s an obvious statement but a while back, even American Vice President Joe Bidden forgot it when he said: “There’s no reason the nation of Africa cannot and should not join the ranks of the world’s

The same, but different

September 18, 2014 No Comments

I’m entering into my fourth week here in Beijing, and one of the experiments I tried last weekend was to order a takeaway. I was tired from a very hectic week of meetings – that was my excuse anyway! But

Defying stereotypes in China

August 29, 2014 No Comments

A few days ago I arrived in Beijing to begin a new job as deputy country director for UNDP China. In this job, I’ll be heading a team that advises the Chinese government and other Chinese counterparts such as businesses

Unexpected outcomes from Rio+20

August 14, 2014 No Comments

A couple of days ago, I had coffee with a friend and ended up talking about my move from London to Glasgow, just over a year and a half ago. I told my friend that when I first moved, I started

Genuinely Learning from Saudi Arabia

July 1, 2014 No Comments

One of the things I love about my job is getting to meet people from all over the world. Just recently, I had the opportunity to meet a bunch of officials from Saudi Arabia. They were in charge of running

My new development obsession

June 6, 2014 No Comments

Chinese and African construction teams work together on a development project in Angola. Picutre: Dieter Telemans/Panos Anyone following my Twitter account will have noticed that I’ve recently developed a strange obsession with all things China. China even featured in my

How can we scale up fortuitous partnerships?

May 29, 2014 No Comments

A couple of weekends ago, the Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang made his first ever trip to Africa, visiting Angola, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Kenya. This was a significant date. 50 years ago, the then Chinese Premier Zhou Enlai made the

Who’s the best at development cooperation?

March 24, 2014 No Comments

My primary school had some quite strong incentives to drive up performance. Every end of term, our teachers would test us and rank my classmates and I against each other. It was the extremes that mattered – top and bottom.

Can you make 90 minutes really count?

February 14, 2014 No Comments

I sometimes worry that I work too hard. This is the third valentine’s date with my husband that I’ve missed because of working abroad. I’m currently in Nigeria for the fifth meeting of the Global Partnership for Effective Development Cooperation’s

Forecasting Development

February 3, 2014 No Comments

In January, I always enjoy reading the Economist’s World In Year X publication – which sets out their forecasts for big headlines under a number of categories. What I particularly like is their review of how correct their forecasts were

Mixing it up in Middle Income Countries

December 11, 2013 No Comments

During my teenage years, I had a good number of friends who were determined to be DJs. Personally, I was never very excited by DJ’ing, mostly because I found it rather difficult to a) find great music that other people

Delivering Results in Scarce Times

November 26, 2013 No Comments

About 4 months ago, I found out that a second cousin of mine who lives in Kenya, a beautiful sweet 5-year-old girl called Blessing, had been having problems walking. Her problems had become so severe she could no longer stand.

Twins in Development?

October 29, 2013 11 Comments

A boy stands by a WASH (Water, Sanitation & Hygiene) programme sign, outside the village of Tshibashi, Kasai Occidental, DRC. Picture: Stephanie Dunga/DFID. When I was a teenager, I lived in a city called St Albans. At the entrance there

How much does your government spend on you?

September 24, 2013 No Comments

Here in the UK, according to national statistics (PDF 2.44MB) the government spends an average of £8,745 on each person per year providing services. But if you live in a lower middle-income country like Pakistan or Sudan, your government will

What’s in a name? A Quick Poll

August 12, 2013 11 Comments

As a bride-to-be, I remember having quite a few conversations about whether to change my surname after marriage. Apparently, grooms have been increasingly considering this question too. The pros and cons are regularly covered in magazines so there is no

Civil Society and Development: More than a technical issue

July 30, 2013 No Comments

If you’ve ever watched the seminal British comedy Yes, Minister, you’ll know that “technical” and “bureaucratic” are 2 words often associated with civil servants. They are also 2 words often associated with international organisations, though I won’t name any names…

Being a Fair but Tough Judge

July 3, 2013 No Comments

This year I’ve been lucky enough to be one of the Guardian’s International Development Journalism Competition judges, which means I have had my first insight into what it is like to “judge”. From Britain’s Got Talent to The Voice, there

Designing a 21st Century Summit

June 20, 2013 No Comments

The coverage of the Tax, Transparency and Trade “Three T’s” agenda for the G8 over the past few days has been excellent. On my twitter feed I’ve seen many commentators, Non-Governmental Organisations and others welcoming the outcomes. As a civil

Why a one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t fit Nigeria

June 3, 2013 1 Comment

I have to travel a lot for my work, and over time I have refined my packing to be as compact as possible. I’m particularly proud of a small see-through plastic zip-up toiletries bag, which is a triumph of space saving.

Can we accept negative feedback on our knowledge?

April 18, 2013 No Comments

A good friend of mine has started advertising her flat on Airbnb, a website that allows anyone that has a spare bedroom, owns a second property, or just want to rent their place out while they are on holiday to

What’s the problem with sharing knowlegde?

April 16, 2013 No Comments

Did you know that Wikipedia had several predecessors? According to this article, there were plenty, but one of the main reasons they didn’t become as well known was because they didn’t explicitly relate themselves to a product that people already knew

Can the G8 help Kenya increase trade?

March 26, 2013 6 Comments

A recent experience brought to life for me some of the issues facing developing countries trying to improve tax collection. I have lots of family in Kenya, and a few days ago, my dad received the news that a cargo

The Rise of Development Effectiveness

March 22, 2013 No Comments

A few months ago, DFID’s Secretary of State Justine Greening announced the beginning of a new, non-aid based relationship with India focused on trade and the private sector. Around the same time, David Cameron, announced a focus for the UK’s G8 presidency

Digital by Default – a new reality for development?

January 25, 2013 No Comments

A few weeks ago I went to see the new James Bond film Sky Fall. Without giving away too much, at one point in the film James Bond goes to a remote part of the UK. The area is portrayed

A transparent New Year’s resolution for 2013

January 10, 2013 No Comments

Happy New Year to all my DFID friends and blog readers! Traditionally, the new year is a time for making new resolutions. Go on that new diet, start that exercise regime, enrol in that evening class you’ve been eyeing for

Gangnam Style Influencing

December 24, 2012 No Comments

The world is definitely changing. The song “Gangnam Style“, made in Korea and sung in Korean, has gone to number 1 in the UK, number 2 in the US, and has broken the record for being the “most viewed” video

The secret ingredient for development meetings

December 18, 2012 No Comments

About a year ago, I experienced one of the hardest working days of my life. It was the first day I chaired a meeting of a new 20-ish person taskforce on green growth and poverty reduction. It sounds odd and

Sharing the Post-2015 Framework

November 8, 2012 No Comments

It might be over a month away, but my husband and I have already begun to think about the Christmas and New Year holidays here in the UK. In particular, it looks like lots of my family are likely to travel from

Putting on my sceptical hat for access to energy

October 22, 2012 No Comments

Economists have a reputation for being sceptical. So much so that there is a book called the Skeptical Economist, and a new book referring to economics as the dismal science. This has a lot to do with our teaching. For

The right sized Power of We to influence development

October 15, 2012 No Comments

Over the past couple of weeks, two big changes have happened in my life. First, one of my sisters has moved to Glasgow from London with her little baby girl. So I’ve become a very busy auntie! Second, I’ve got

What’s the route to becoming a developed country?

October 10, 2012 2 Comments

Last week, there was a great quotation doing the rounds on Twitter, Pinterest and other social media from the Mayor of Bogota in Colombia. The quotation was “A developed country is not a place where the poor have cars. It’s

The marathon after Rio+20

July 19, 2012 No Comments

Every morning for the past three months, I’ve been saying a little mantra to myself when I wake up: “I am a marathoner”. I’ve been training for my first marathon and ten days ago I finally did it! It was pretty hard,

A day in the life of a UK official at Rio+20

June 22, 2012 No Comments

My alarm goes off at 6.15am. I hit the snooze button and realise I’ve been dreaming about work. I must be nervous. Not surprised really. Today’s going to be busy, despite the fact that the “text” – all 283 paragraphs

Pitching for business at Rio+20

May 31, 2012 No Comments

Sometimes, it seems like we are constantly under pressure to “pitch”. Whether it’s planning your two minute “elevator pitch” for the momentous day you meet your role model in a lift, or working out how to get your boss to

Rio+20 – a Special Birthday Treat

May 11, 2012 No Comments

I’ve always been a fan of birthdays. Mine falls on June 20th. Last year, I had a wonderful celebration. It wasn’t just because of the presents – I got to spend the weekend in the countryside with my closest friends, enjoying

Creating a climate in which we’re able to fail

April 11, 2012 No Comments

Winning is great, but is it OK to talk about losing as well? Picture: Marcos Villalta/Save the Children A few days ago I was in a meeting with colleagues from a number of organisations and countries talking about how to

How buying together in Government can be Powerful

March 15, 2012 No Comments

It’s Climate Week in the UK, and I’ve been busy working with several enthusiastic colleagues to organise photo exhibits, seminars and leaflets for DFID staff to better understand climate change and their impacts. It’s been great working in a team –

Going Green with ICT in 2012

February 3, 2012 2 Comments

It’s the beginning of a new month, and I’ve just celebrated my 1st anniversary of blogging and tweeting about my work in DFID. I have to say I have really enjoyed it so far. It’s brought Information and Communication Technology (ICT)

A new way to swim – conventional or green growth?

December 21, 2011 No Comments

The end of the year is always a time for reflecting on what has gone well and hasn’t: 2011 has been my first full year at DFID, working on the topic of green growth – one of the hottest issues

After 2009, why could 2015 deliver a climate deal?

December 16, 2011 No Comments

The phrase “the benefit of hindsight” has been ringing in my ears as I’ve been reading the reports from the close of the Durban climate negotiations late on Saturday night. In particular, it’s been ringing in my ears as I read

The tug-of-war over the private sector – time to stop?

December 7, 2011 No Comments

Over the past few weeks, and as I mentioned in a previous blog post, I’ve been continuing to help the DFID team in Ethiopia design an exciting new programme focused on supporting new small and medium enterprises and entrepreneurs, including

Staying close to food is key to tackling climate change

October 16, 2011 No Comments

A few years ago, my grandparents came to visit my husband and me in London. It was a Sunday, so we welcomed them with a lovely, organic roast chicken. Unfortunately, it didn’t go down too well, particularly with my (now

How DFID can use Justin Bieber’s Twitter Account

October 3, 2011 No Comments

A friend of mine has been raving to me about a new iphone app called Instagram. Instagram is a service that allows you to “pretty” up your photos and share them with millions of people around the world. It was launched

Is it time we Networked more?

September 21, 2011 No Comments

Did you participate in Al Gore’s Climate Reality Project last week? I wasn’t able to because I was working in Ethiopia (my next post will tell you why), so I’ve been reading up on responses from participants, some of whom have

What Economics can (and can’t) tell us, Part 3: Prioritising Women

August 24, 2011 No Comments

A few days ago, a report by the UK’s Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), declared that over 5,000 women were missing from the top jobs in the UK. If you’re a development economist, you might recognise the language from Amartya

What economics can (and can’t) tell us, part 2: Getting the best deals

August 4, 2011 No Comments

I don’t know about you but I always dread “that time of the year” when I have to revise all my contracts – home insurance, energy, water, and so on. I dread it so much that I usually stick to the

What economics can (and can’t) tell us, part 1: carbon taxes

July 12, 2011 No Comments

On my first day as a civil servant, my new boss asked, “So, Hannah, what would you say are the three key concepts in economics?” I was tongue-tied – it felt like a trick question. What three concepts could I

Avoiding the C-word in Nigeria

June 9, 2011 No Comments

Ok so I admit that’s a provocative title. But in many countries taking action on the two c-words “climate change” just isn’t a key priority. Avoiding the C-word in Nigeria There are, perhaps, good reasons for this. A lot of

Is green growth just a fad?

May 20, 2011 No Comments

“Green growth” is en vogue in the development and international affairs world. The Republic of Korea has created a new Global Green Growth Institute, and a major UN Summit to be held in Rio de Janeiro in July 2012 will

Why we need to test cash transfers for climate change

May 6, 2011 No Comments

As a development economist, I’m itching to read Poor Economics, the new book by the amazing Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee. Unfortunately, it’s not yet widely available in UK bookshops. Thankfully, there’s a wonderful visual web version of the book’s key findings,

Climate Change needs more than Plastic Surgery

April 21, 2011 No Comments

Most week days, I wake up at around 6.30am to go for a run, do some yoga or go to the gym. It makes me feel alive and ready for the day, and I am usually more productive and focused

Can playing games with disasters make sense?

April 5, 2011 No Comments

Yesterday, I played a “disaster game”. It was part of an event organised by the Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN), which has brought together development practitioners, students with unbelievable energy, and lawyers and economists that – like me –

Questioning my Carbon Footprint

March 24, 2011 No Comments

I live in Scotland. A lot of people are often surprised at that. They’re also often surprised to hear that DFID has a large office in Scotland, just on the outskirts of Glasgow. From my desk on the top floor

Dangerous generalisations: China and climate change

March 17, 2011 No Comments

I’ve just finished reading “When a Billion Chinese Jump” by Jonathan Watts. It took me a while – it’s a pretty huge book, with copious notes to flick back and forth to. But I am glad I got there. Yes,

Match-making in a changing climate

March 2, 2011 No Comments

It’s a big week of change for DFID this week. Despite apparently being in the “sexiest” department in Whitehall (according to the London Evening Standard at least!) we’re all actually reeling from the news that our fantastic Permanent Secretary Minouche Shafik

Like Water for Chocolate

February 17, 2011 No Comments

Valentine’s day, and yet another excuse to apply economics to daily life – yes you guessed it, a book called “Spousonomics“. But despite my love of all-things-economics, this year I decided to gorge instead on a lovely box of chocolates,

The power of pictures in cooking and economics

February 9, 2011 No Comments

One of last week’s editions of the Financial Times featured an article by John Kay, a top UK economist, saying that “clarity of thought and clarity of expression tend to go together”. And he’s right – presenting complexity in a

Motorbikes, Mercedes and low-carbon choices

February 2, 2011 No Comments

I’ve been working with two of our Asian country offices this week – Vietnam and Indonesia – helping them focus their programmes on low-carbon and climate-resilient growth. Travelling back and forth to the offices, I’ve noticed some sharp contrasts between

“What do you ACTUALLY DO?”- Climate economist

January 24, 2011 21 Comments

I’ve been a Senior Economist in DFID for just over a month. Many friends and colleagues are excited about my new role…even people I don’t know that well. My first challenge has been giving a clear answer to the question “what