Driven by geopolitics and the threat of climate change, industrial policy has reclaimed center stage in the comparative political economy of national economies, irrespective of their level of per capita income. However, this turn has been criticized for primarily enticing private capital into serving public agendas in ways that reduce the state to a “derisking” […]
Demand for energy transition minerals (TMs) is set to expand many-fold as global investors and nations embrace the ongoing global energy transition. The task of establishing sustainable and inclusive production methods for these supply chains is an urgent one for source countries – most of which are developing countries located in Latin America and the […]
By Yan Wang and Zheng Zhai Over the past two decades, China has become the largest bilateral provider of development finance. At the 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), China reaffirmed its commitment to further opening its vast financial market to African nations, encouraging them to issue panda bonds. Alongside this, it pledged $51 billion […]
The African continent faces a multifaceted challenge regarding its energy policy. To bolster economic industrialization and improve livelihoods, leaders seek energy solutions with low carbon emissions while endeavoring to bring electricity to an estimated 600 million people who lack access. Emerging as a pivotal capital provider for global energy finance, China has committed $49 billion […]
Emerging market and developed countries must meet their shared climate and development goals to avoid the catastrophic costs of inaction. Yet, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) estimates that 26 low-income countries are in debt distress or default, and new academic research estimates say this number will double if countries mobilize the level of investment needed […]
Chinese overseas lending has drawn attention for their support to developing countries in infrastructure development, as well as growing criticism for sovereign debt impacts. However, the institutions and instruments involved in overseas finance vary significantly and have undergone substantial changes over time. While financing has to date been dominated by policy banks, Export-Import Bank of […]
By Ishana Ratan Low- and middle-income countries face the dual goals of decarbonization and development. It might be expected that among these countries, those with a higher share of foreign direct investment (FDI) in renewable energy will lead in the energy transition. In renewable energy, foreign companies can bring skills, technology and capital to markets […]
Foreign direct investment is often cited as critical for renewable energy growth in low- and middle-income countries. However, despite the promise of foreign investment, countries like Colombia capable of quickly scaling up solar are still facing an energy crisis. Why has solar installation slowed in countries with experienced foreign investors, but continues to steadily grow […]
By Diego Morro From 2000-2023, China’s development finance institutions (DFIs), the China Development Bank (CDB) and the Export-Import Bank of China (CHEXIM), and other Chinese commercial lenders provided approximately $182.3 billion in development finance to Africa, an amount comparable to the $209.5 billion committed to Africa by the World Bank from 2000-2022. The Boston University […]
A new update to the China’s Global Energy Finance (CGEF) Database, managed by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, estimates that from 2000-2023, China’s two development finance institutions (DFIs)—the China Development Bank (CDB) and the Export-Import Bank of China (CHEXIM)—provided 367 loans, totaling $209 billion to 118 public borrowers in 68 countries for energy […]