The Wits Centre for Journalism (WCJ) convened a high-level seminar on 6 November 2025, bringing together more than 30 academics, journalists, civic leaders and business professionals from South Africa, Zambia, Kenya, Ghana and Senegal to unpack the evolving relationship between Africa and China.
The gathering focused on strengthening the capacity of news editors to better understand the complexities and strategic implications of Africa-China relations, particularly as global power dynamics continue to shift.
The seminar explored four key themes:
• China’s internal policy dynamics and their implications for Africa and the world
• Critical minerals and resource politics
• China and the global economy
• The geopolitics of digital technologies, including the governance of artificial intelligence
Discussions centred on Africa’s position within an increasingly competitive global landscape, where China’s rising influence has intensified geopolitical tensions with countries in the Global North.
Speakers included Absa’s Stephen Seaka, Professor Emeritus Gilbert Khadiagala from Wits University, Professor Admire Mare, Dr Emmanuel Matambo from the University of Johannesburg, and Dr Grace Githaiga of Kenya’s KICTANET.
The keynote address was delivered by prominent human rights advocate Deprose Muchena, recently appointed Director of Resources Futures at the Open Society Foundations.
The WCJ expressed gratitude to Eric Orlander and Dr Cobus van Staden of the China Global South Project for their collaboration in hosting what the institution described as a “very productive and timely seminar.”