Chine-Afrique : Enjeux de l'ajustement chinois pour les pays miniers

Abstract

China and Africa: The mining challengeBeyond questions posed in the economic literature about the development implications of exporting countries' rich underground resources, this article looks at a possible rebalancing and restructuring of the Chinese economy and its impact on the economies of minerals-exporting countries in sub-Saharan Africa. China is the largest importer of sub-Saharan minerals. However, a rebalancing of the Chinese economy and a lowering of the share of investment in China's GDP is on the agenda: the new Chinese leaders have said they aim to lessen that share from 48% today to 42% by 2022. A one-percent decrease in investment could lead to a 1.3% decrease in the price of minerals. Exporting countries in Africa with the least diversified economies would especially feel the impact of such a decrease.