Henry has a background in communications and freelance journalism, and is editor at China Africa News. He frequently travels to Africa in his professional role, and has lived and studied in China. Here he gives his views on the development potential of China's role in Africa, with a special focus on the role of the media. Social Media Links: www.chinaafricanews.com

Who's the most attractive partner for Africa? All of them.

In whatever state Europe eventually emerges from its credit crisis, its constituents will need to realign themselves with the parts of the world that are growing. Increasingly, that’s Africa.

Ghana's opposition look to Zambia for election tactics

The opposition NPP party who lost power in the previous election in 2008, seem to have learnt from Sata’s tactics in Zambia, and Akufo-Addo’s party are making efforts to brand the ruling NDC, lackies of Beijing.

US Senate Committee hearing on China in Africa

The US and other western powers should stop worrying about whether the Chinese model is fair. That is up to Africa to decide. African success over the past decade should be the focus of attention.

Sata wins, changes for China

For Beijing, resource security comes first. The election of Sata will demonstrate to Chinese policy makers that regulating the small players matters.

China and the west work best together in Africa

Western criticisms of China’s engagement are becoming increasingly tired as African governments, and even western multinationals queue up to work with China

Market Forces

While traders and journalists complain that Chinese goods are bad for Africa, it seems the African consumer simply doesn’t agree.

The China Brand

Chinese companies are inextricable from their country of origin regardless of their ownership. How is China managing its brand in Africa, and how have rival powers sought to influence it?

A Chinese led neo-ISI in Africa

Africans are rightly calling for investment in value added industries. Could China's investment in manufacturing prove to be a refreshed form of Import Substitution Industrialisation?

Pet Hates, Dragons and Bio-fuel

Henry Hall explains his aversion to the rhetoric of the dragon in Africa, and why land grabs aren't just a Chinese phenomena.

Clinton's Comments Explained

There has been a great deal of comment in Africa about Hilary Clinton’s statement made in Nairobi regarding China’s role on the continent. Here I explain why she doesn't really mean it.

Informal Mining in Ghana

Last Monday I commented on France 24's news channel on the informal mining sector in Ghana. Here's my follow up.

G8 and a Changing Consensus

The G8 summit came and went last week and was a relatively low key affair. It is testament to the rise of countries such as China, India and Brazil that the G8 no longer retains the same importance.

A New Model: Infrastructure for Christianity?

Much is made of the oil for infrastructure deal, but China's offerings to Africa are becoming more innovative. This weeks news includes some large infrastructure deals, and a surprising Chinese interest in African Christianity.

Aid for Profit?

While China's aid to Africa is not purely friendly, nor is anyone else's. All foreign actors share similar motives in Africa, it's their capabilities that are different. Discourse should be about who does what, not either or.

Influencing Media Perception

China's approach to media management is changing due to bad press over its engagement with Africa.