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As a pioneering, African-led development consultancy, we combine a unique perspective, deep relationships, and in-house databases developed from 50+ years of experience to produce industry-leading research reports that shape global conversations on the Africa-China relationship, development finance, international trade, climate change, public health, and African geopolitics.

From global alliances and government initiatives to private sector investment and household-level welfare, we consider all dimensions of development issues in our reports. Browse our latest research below and experience the difference we can make for your organization.

China-Africa Energy Dialogue Strengthens Green Partnerships for Africa’s Energy Transition

Hangzhou, China – April 18, 2025 Development Reimagined, in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) ITPO Beijing, successfully convened the China-Africa Energy Dialogue: Africa’s Energy Transition and

Decolonising Global Governance: The UN Must Shift Decision-Making to Africa

UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently announced that the global offices of UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women will be relocated—either in part or in full—to Nairobi by 2026. Guterres emphasized that

Report: Options For Private Sector Climate Finance In Africa

Climate finance is undoubtably one of Africa’s most challenging and pressing areas of development. African countries require substantial financing to meet their climate needs. Between 2020 to 2030, based on

Expert Roundtable: Advancing U.S.-Africa Cooperation Under the New Administration

Under President Trump’s second term, U.S. foreign policy has undergone significant shifts, with direct implications for U.S.-Africa relations. To explore these changes, Development Reimagined (DR) hosted an expert roundtable on

Report: How to Implement China’s Support for Africa’s Green Industrialisation

Development Reimagined proudly launches its latest discussion paper, “How to Implement China’s Support for Africa’s Green Industrialisation.” This paper explores strategies for advancing sustainable industrial growth across Africa through strengthened

Report: Advancing African Agency Through Borrower Coordination

A new joint report by Development Reimagined, the African Center for Economic Transformation (ACET), and AfriCatalyst, explores how African countries can enhance their agency in the global financial system through

Policy Brief: Reimagining Credit Rating Agencies for African Priorities

Over the last two decades, more African nations have joined the sovereign debt system. While in the 1990s only South Africa had a sovereign credit rating, today, 32 out of

Infographic: Securing African Growth in 2025 – what lies ahead for the continent?

Happy 2025! As we enter a new year, at DR we’ve been asking the question – what lies ahead for the continent, particularly in terms of economic growth? Released in

Infographic: AI Revolution in Africa: A Steady Growth

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

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

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

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

[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

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

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

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

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

Policy Briefs: Empowering Africa in the G20 – Three T20 Proposals for Equitable Global Financial Reforms

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

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

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

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

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

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

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” Good

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

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

Speech: Unleashing Africa’s Investment Case

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Visual Insights: China-Africa Climate Action Tracker

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

Database: Tracking China Africa Climate Actions since FOCAC 8

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

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

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

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

Infographic: Are African countries too dependent on the IMF?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic: Why do some African countries import electricity?

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

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

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.

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

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.

Policy Brief: African Priorities for the G21 in 2024

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

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

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

Infographic: Africa’s Huge Solar Power Potential

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

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

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

Infographic: Africa’s Amazing Wind Power Potential

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic: Will African countries see growth post-COVID?

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

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

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,

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

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

Expert View: Recommendations for Debt Sustainability Analysis Reform

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographic: Can African countries feed themselves?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Expert view: 5 Takeaways from Africa Climate Week 2022

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

Report: Forecasting Infrastructure Financing Needs of Four West African countries

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

geoGraphical Indications An Opportunity For Africa To Add Value To Exports

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

Report: Health Cooperation Under the FOCAC Umbrella

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

Report: Reimagining FOCAC Going Forwards

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

Sino-Africa Cooperation: Corporate Social Responsibility Guide

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

Report: Agricultural Cooperation Under the FOCAC Umbrella

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

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

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,

Speech: Forum On China-Africa Private Sector Cooperation

Introducing Yenaé

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

Introducing Kazi Yetu

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.

Introducing Artclub and Friends

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.

Speech: Sharing Digital Technology Dividends & Bridging the Digital Divide

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

Over half of African citizens could have been protected by now

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How Can African Countries Export More Agriculture to China?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

China’s Role in “Decolonizing” Healthcare in Africa

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

How Can China Support Vaccine Deployment in Zimbabwe?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

From the Soil: Can Private Money Really Cut poverty?

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

Infographic: Can Africa be hopeful about a vaccine?

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

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

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

A future COVID19 African debt crisis?

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

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

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

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

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

Speech: “FOCAC at 20”

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

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

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

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

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

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

(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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COVID19 in Africa: Now comes the Harder Work

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Potential for Dairy-led Development Cooperation Between China and Africa

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’

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

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

COVID19 in Africa: Can early momentum be maintained?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

COVID19 in Africa: What is the real narrative?

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

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

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

Is more poverty in Africa an inevitable outcome of COVID19?

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,

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

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

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

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

Is Africa drowning in COVID19 debt?

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

Success v failure: Is there one Africa COVID19 story?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

Are African countries getting enough support to deal with COVID19?

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

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

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%

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

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

Are African countries easing lockdown too early?

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

Client spotlight – Mafi Mafi repurposes fashion for PPE in Ethiopia

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

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

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

Are African countries flattening the COVID-19 curve?

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

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

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

South-South Cooperation on Climate Change and Environment

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Responding to the COVID-19 Outbreak

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.

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

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

Africa’s Coronavirus Challenge

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.

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

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

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

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,

Opening Speech: Development Leaders Conference 2019

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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,

Who is looking out for African companies in China?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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%

Brief: Is FOCAC Unique? Read our new Background Brief

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

Report: Development Reimagined analysis cited in new FOCAC Reporting Guide

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,

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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),

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

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

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

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

Speech: Bringing the “us” to Global Cooperation

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

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

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,

Who does China prioritise? Our first infographic sheds some light

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

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

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

Op-Ed: The China Factor in Kenya and Zimbabwe

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

Development Reimagined part of a new foreign start up rush

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

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

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

Opinion: Peacekeeping – how do others compare to China?

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

The Imperialist People’s Republic of Africa?

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

Mo-bike – the development dream?

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

Speech: China-Africa reporting needs more oil!

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

Op-Ed: The End of Poverty in China?

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

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

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

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

“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,

Opinion: Is China really helping Africa?

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

Will China’s social media fly global in 2017?

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

Who’s got the bargaining power?

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

To heat or not to heat?

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

Belt and Road… Reminds me of…

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

Summits as game-changers? Really?

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

Hairstyles and the G20 – what to pick in China?

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

One mountain, two tigers

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

If you don’t ask, you don’t get

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

Masks in Beijing? Try Nairobi

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

What’s win-win about animals?

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

Is your relationship with China better than mine?

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

Change is in the Air for 2015

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”.

Making APEC Blue Go Global

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

Training as if China isn’t a Country

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

The same, but different

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

Defying stereotypes in China

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

Unexpected outcomes from Rio+20

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

Genuinely Learning from Saudi Arabia

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

My new development obsession

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

How can we scale up fortuitous partnerships?

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

Who’s the best at development cooperation?

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.

Can you make 90 minutes really count?

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

Forecasting Development

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

Mixing it up in Middle Income Countries

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

Delivering Results in Scarce Times

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

Twins in Development?

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

How much does your government spend on you?

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

What’s in a name? A Quick Poll

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

Civil Society and Development: More than a technical issue

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

Being a Fair but Tough Judge

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

Designing a 21st Century Summit

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,

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

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

Can we accept negative feedback on our knowledge?

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

What’s the problem with sharing knowlegde?

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

Can the G8 help Kenya increase trade?

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

The Rise of Development Effectiveness

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,

Digital by Default – a new reality for development?

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 transparent New Year’s resolution for 2013

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

Gangnam Style Influencing

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

The secret ingredient for development meetings

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

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