(Stellenbosch University, Centre for Chinese Studies, 2013-07) Grimm, Sven; Schickerling, Elizabeth
The China-Africa Development Fund (CADFund) forms part of the Chinese government’s practical implementation, for some of its plans and objectives, for the African continent. CADFund was established as
part of the eight measures announced by then Chinese President Hu Jintao, at the 2006 Forum on ChinaAfrica Cooperation (FOCAC). While operating according to market principles, the Fund is an economic
and diplomatic tool of the Chinese government to encourage Chinese enterprises’ investments in African
countries. Chinese investments might boost African economies; yet, there is no automaticity in developmental effects. CADFund’s operations as a sovereign wealth fund can be compared to other such funds
in the African context. This policy brief elaborates on the setting and policy of CADFund, specifically in
comparison to Norfund, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund for investments in developing countries, which
also has a development vocation. The policy brief concludes with recommendations for change.