Over the last few months, ACCA has organised several webinars which were mainly focusing on the coalition working streams.
Theme1: COVID-19 AND CHINESE INVESTMENT IN AFRICA
Over the past years, Chinese investment has grown exponentially in Africa. Beyond large infrastructure projects, thousands of Chinese entrepreneurs are also settling on the continent in various sectors ranging from retail, factories, and agriculture to mining.
Human rights activists and defenders who help local communities do not always have the knowledge and expertise to help victims take legal action against Chinese companies. For this reason, at its 2019 General Assembly, the African Coalition for Corporate Accountability placed the theme “Chinese investments in Africa” as one of its focus areas.
The webinar focused specifically on the impact of COVID-19 on Chinese investments in Africa and was organised by ACCA in collaboration with China Accountability project (CAP).
Theme 2: RETHINKING THE DEALS BETWEEN CHINA AND AFRICAN STATES
Like any other business activity, Chinese investment in Africa comes with its own challenges and various human rights issues. Human rights activists and defenders who help local communities lack the knowledge and expertise to help victims sue Chinese companies.
The African Coalition for Corporate Accountability has placed the theme of "Chinese investments in Africa" as one of its focus areas. It was within this framework that a webinar focusing on "Rethinking the agreements between China and African states" was organized.
Over the past decades, China has entered into several bilateral investment treaties or other economic agreements with African states. However, human rights and environmental considerations seem to be lacking in these agreements. As the continent suffers serious consequences linked to the activity of irresponsible companies, the issue of renegotiating these agreements is more topical than ever. The webinar was therefore an opportunity for ACCA members to discuss the issue of Chinese investment in Africa from different angles, bringing together experts from Africa and China.