Africa: Chinese slowdown fears overstated

Speculation regarding a sharp economic slowdown in China has raised worries about the impact on African economies. We believe that these fears are overdone, for three key reasons. First, the prospects for growth in China remain much more positive than is frequently assumed. Second, much recent analysis has lazily blamed low commodity prices on a slowing China, when in fact many factors are in play. Finally, we stress that economic linkages between China and Africa are both more complicated – and in some ways less influential – than is widely believed.