US-China contest 'hands opportunities to Africa'

Africa should take advantage of the geopolitical tension between China and the US for the benefit of its own development.

- Eric Naki

This is the view of Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflection executive director Joel Netshitenzhe.

He said Africa should take advantage of China's Belt and Road Initiative and, at the same time, harness the new Partnership for Global Infrastructure Investment of the US and allies.

At a conference focusing on the multipolar world and challenges and opportunities for Africa, he cited the competition between China and the US for global economic dominance.

Beijing's rapid rise as an economic power is seen by the US as threat to its economic hegemony. World Bank and the International Monetary Fund reports say China, which is in second spot, is on the brink of replacing the US as the number one economy in the world within a decade.