China in Africa: Lending, policy space and governance

China has had bad press regarding its involvement in sub-Saharan Africa. Its lack of aid conditionality – particularly in the field of human rights and environmental issues; its apparent disregard for transparency in the loan contraction processes and its general lack of adherence to international standards in responsible funding has caused alarm in the donor community. However although this paper largely agrees with and expands on these criticisms it also seeks to highlight the benefits of Chinese involvement.