China Africa Research Initiative
The China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies (SAIS) is a research program dedicated to understanding the political and economic aspects of China-Africa relations. Launched in 2014, it is based at the Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, D.C. SAIS-CARI is focused on producing and promoting high quality, well-researched, and data-backed analysis of the relationship between China and African countries. It also specializes in conducting evidence-based analysis, fostering collaboration, and training future leaders to understand the economic and political  dimensions of China-Africa relations and their implications for human security and global development. The initiative is directed by Dr. Deborah Bräutigam, SAIS Professor of Comparative Politics and director of the International Development Program (IDEV). She is the author of " Will Africa Feed China?" (2015), " The Dragon's Gift: The Real Story of China in Africa" (2009), and the blog "China in Africa: The Real Story." Both of Bräutigam's books use extensive fieldwork and on-the-ground evidence to challenge conventional wisdom on China's relationship with African countries. Research. SAIS-CARI's research areas include Chinese agricultural investments  in Africa, Chinese hydropower finance in Africa, the flying geese model in African industries, Chinese loans to Africa, and Chinese FDI and structural transformation in Africa. The research is grounded in both quantitative data collection and analysis as well as qualitative field research. As a result, SAIS-CARI has created several rigorously cross-checked databases on various aspects of Chinese activity in Africa. Of note, in April 2016, the Initiative launched its exclusive database of Chinese loans to African countries. The findings of this database have been featured in "NPR, The Economist," and "The New York Times'," among other media  outlets. As of March 29, 2021, this database is now managed by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center. In February 2021, CARI also launched its Debt Relief Dashboard, which reports official information about global Chinese debt relief in the COVID-19 era. SAIS-CARI in the media (selected). SAIS-CARI research has been featured in NPR, "Financial Times", "The New York Times", "The Wall Street Journal", "The Economist", Bloomberg, "The Washington Post", and more. Publications (selected). SAIS-CARI publishes policy briefs, working papers, briefing papers, and economic bulletins on a range of topics concerning the growing relationship between China and  Africa. The publications can be found on CARI's website. Funding. SAIS-CARI currently receives support from Carnegie Corporation of New York to develop a database to track Chinese finance and investments in Africa; construct and maintain the CARI website; publish newsletters, working papers, and policy briefs; host conferences, roundtables, and workshops; and fund the CARI fellowship program for scholars, journalists, researchers and practitioners. In the past, SAIS-CARI has also received support through a grant from the UK's Department for International Development and the Economic and Social Research Council (DFID/ESRC) for a project on "evidence-based analysis  of technology transfer, linkages, learning, and spillovers associated with Chinese investment in African manufacturing, agribusiness, and construction industries."