The e-symposium is aimed at discussing BRI strategies to accelerate the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) infrastructure development.

Invited delegates from both the Chinese and African Think Tanks and regional organisations will address key issues such as whether the planned BRI projects under the new normal will be able to come to fruition in the current economic climate.

They will also interrogate whether Chinese development banks will be able to continue financing BRI infrastructure, particularly if long term profitability of some projects may have been compromised.

The dialogue is expected to bring out best practices that the African Union Development Agency-NEPAD (AUDA-NEPAD) should consider in implementing the AfCFTA in partnership with the BRI.

The event is organised by the Human Sciences Research Council’s (HSRC) BRICS Research Centre in collaboration with the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies and AUDA-NEPAD.

Speakers include HE Minister Counsellor LI Nan (Charge d'Affares ad Interim, Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in South Africa); HE Yu Yunquan (President of  the Academy of Contemporary China and World Studies); HE Robert Lisinge, Chief (Energy, Infrastructure and Services Section, United Nations Economic Commission for Africa, Addis Ababa); Dr Cobus Van Staden (Senior China-Africa Relations Researcher, South Africa Institute of International Affairs); Liu Naiya (Director of Division for Social and Cultural Studies, The China-Africa Institute); and Dr Vuyo Mjimba (Chief Research Specialist, Human Science Research Council).

Details of the Webinar

Date:               06 August 2020

Time:               12h00 Southern African time | 18h00 Chinese time

Zoom Link:      https://zoom.us/j/96603505206?pwd=RUFVa2ZlenloY3dNL0dLMmdQNndHQT09

NB: Registration is compulsory. Please use the Zoom link to register by close of business on 5 August 2020.