Author: Dr Giles Mohan, Dr Dinar Kale.

That China is having a profound impact on African economies is beyond doubt (ECOWAS- SWAC/OECD 2006, Goldstein et al 2006, Broadman 2007, UN 2007, Kaplinsky 2007). Underlying these profound economic shifts, often negotiated through diplomatic exchanges, is an equally significant social change. Migration to Africa from China has existed for at least 500 years, but has accelerated in the past 5 years as new business opportunities become apparent. Ethnic business communities are certainly not new to Africa, but the scale and dynamism of the Chinese communities are likely to shape economic, social and political relations on the continent for decades to come. Hence, this study aims to provide an overview of the state of knowledge on Chinese Diasporas in Africa, focusing both on “what is” and “what may become” (trajectories).