Routledge Handbook on Asia–Africa Engagement

Elem Eyrice-Tepeciklioğlu is a Full Professor in the Department of African Studies and Head of the Department of Area Studies at the Social Sciences University of Ankara, Turkey. She is also a non-resident research fellow in the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa (SIGLA) at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.Francois Vreÿ is an Emeritus Professor in Military Science with Stellenbosch University, South Africa.Scarlett Cornelissen is a Full Professor in the Department of Political Science at Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and Director of the Stellenbosch University Japan Centre.

“This book captures the shifting center of gravity in Africa's international relations. The analysis of new actors that other works have overlooked — including those in West Asia and North Asia — is eye-opening. The quality of research by insiders from the emerging regions is outstanding. The book represents the state of the art of alternative approaches to international relations studies.”Yoichi Mine, Executive Director, JICA Ogata Sadako Research Institute for Peace and Development, Japan"Africa's external engagements have dramatically shifted in recent years as economic power has shifted eastwards. Asia now looms large amongst African policy makers. In this comprehensive book tracking Africa–Asian relations, the focus is not merely on the traditional powerhouses of China and India but also smaller Asian states such as Malaysia whose African footprint is getting ever larger. The breadth of the book is such that it also includes West Asian states like Saudi Arabia, Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. Empirically grounded, analytical, and meticulously well-researched, this book is a must for academics and policymakers seeking to understand Africa's eastward pivot."Hussein Solomon, Senior Professor at the Center for Gender and Africa Studies, University of the Free State, South Africa“For decades, Africa and Asia’s relationship was viewed through the lens of anti-colonial solidarity. At its core, Afro–Asian relations challenged Western dominance while simultaneously being influenced by it. However, this dynamic shifted with the changing global order. This shift introduced new actors, renegotiated alliances and partnerships, and fostered innovative approaches to development. A prime example is the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which seeks to emulate Asia’s integration model to boost regional self-reliance. The Routledge Handbook on Asia–Africa Engagement broadens its geographic focus to include the roles of “smaller” middle powers. The chapters explore their growing engagements alongside more traditional Asian players on the continent. Given the current state of flux in the international political economy and the security environment, this scholarly contribution adds valuable insights into the evolving role and impact of Africa–Asia relations.”Anthoni van Nieuwkerk, Professor of International and Diplomacy Studies, Thabo Mbeki African School of Public and International Affairs, South Africa

• 1. Introducing Asia–Africa Engagement: Actors, Agendas and Agency 2. Exploring (Strategic) Alignment in Asia–Africa Relations: Foundations of Cooperation Part 1: East Asia 3. China in Africa: Historical Background and Changing Patterns of Alignment 4. China’s Summit Diplomacy with Africa: Strengthening African Agency within FOCAC 5. Africa, China, and the Geoeconomics of Loans, FDI, and Trade 6. Relational Soft Power through Education Cooperation in Uganda: Unpacking Chinese Professionalization Trainings 7. Southern Africa in China’s Digital Silk Road Initiative: Pursuing African Agency in a New Global Digital Order 8. Japan’s Presence in Africa and its Challenges 9. TICAD and the Evolution of Japan’s Engagements with Africa 10. Japan’s Aid Relations with Africa in Past and Present: From Non-agency to Agency 11. Vectors and Dynamics of Economic Diplomacy in Japan-Africa Relations 12. Japan's Defense Diplomacy in Africa: Maritime Security, Peacekeeping, and African Agency 13. South Korea–Africa Engagement: History, Summits, and Soft Power Promotion 14. South Korea’s Economic Presence in Africa: The Role of Public and Private Players 15. The Evolution of South Korea–Africa Relations through Development Cooperation: Aid Towards Emerging Alignment 16. North Korean Strategy in Africa, 1960-2020 17. Taiwan’s Engagement with Africa: A Broken Partnership or Strategic Retreat? Part 2: South Asia 18. India-Africa Economic and Political Relations: Alignments and African Agency in a Transforming Global South 19. Diplomacy, Maritime Cooperation and Maritime Security Provision in India, the Indian Ocean and Africa 20. Indo–African Trade, Investment, and Business Linkages: Evidence from Nigeria, Tanzania and South Africa 21. Charting Pakistan’s New Diplomacy in Africa Part 3: North Asia 22. Russia as a Sovereignty Provider for Africa: The Soviet Legacy and the Coming Multipolarity Era 23. Russia in Africa: When Economy Drives Politics 24. Russian Private Military Companies in Africa: Reflections of Russian Foreign Policy and Interests Part 4: Southeast Asia 25. Indonesia’s Contemporary Awakening to Africa: From Joko Widodo to Prabowo Subianto 26. Africa–Malaysia Relations: Conceptualizing the Under-engagement 27. The Strategic, Political, and Developmental Partnerships between ASEAN and the African Union: Building Bridges across the Global South Part 5: West Asia 28. Evolving Patterns in Türkiye–Africa Relations: From Collaboration to Strategic Partnership 29. Saudi Arabia in Africa: In Search for Influence and Prosperity 30. The United Arab Emirates and Africa: An Important Partner amid Global Change 31. Asia–Africa Engagement: Asymmetry, Alignment, and Agency