East Asia in Africa: The ‘Rival’ Policy Frameworks and the Prospect for Cooperation

Abstract

This article engages in a comparative analysis of the foreign policy frameworks employed by East Asian countries of China, Japan, and Korea in pursuing their respective African policy. Having identified some convergence in the policy approach and policy interest, it proceeded to explore the prospect of synergistic interaction in shared areas of interest, viz. how the three countries can leverage their existing trilateral cooperation mechanism, and their shared self-interest in the development priorities of Africa to pursue a cooperative agenda. It is argued that the contemporary strategic focus of Africa by East Asia can be grasped in the context of unprecedented East Asia–Africa relations achieved through the institutionalization of dialogue oriented foreign policy frameworks as the ultimate enablers. As key diplomatic and development stakeholders in Africa, China, Japan and Korea should strive for complementary engagement and cooperation in shared areas of interest to support Africa’s development priorities.