Manuel Ortega (right) shares his work experience in China and observations on Chinese investment in Africa (LIU JIAN)

Manuel Ortega, a 34-year-old Spaniard has worked as the assistant secretary-general and deputy director of the International Relations Department at China-Africa Business Council (CABC) in Beijing for about six years. In September, he will further his studies by beginning a Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) degree, with the focus on China studies, at Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C. Recently, he spoke to ChinAfrica reporter Liu Jian about his observations and perspectives on Chinese investment in Africa and how working in the China-Africa cooperation and development sector has impacted his career path.  

ChinAfrica: Being Spanish, how is it that you worked in CABC and what were your main responsibilities?  

Manuel Ortega: Six years ago I came to Beijing for a 10-day visit. While here, I realized I really liked the city and decided to stay and find a job. I am grateful to the staff members in China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs, who helped me go through the paper work and visa application, so that I could work as a full-time employee in CABC. 

My duty at the council was to liaise with African embassies in China, African agencies, international organizations in China and abroad, our membership companies, as well as African companies. While there are not many people in our council, we are able to cover a wide range of issues and projects on South-South cooperation. We also organize conferences, seminars and social benefit campaigns. In addition, depending on the connection with the country, we help organize those events between the private sector and diplomatic delegations. 

Manuel Ortega shares his work experience in China with staff members in CABC and China’s State Administration of Foreign Experts Affairs (LIU JIAN) 

What are the challenges facing Chinese private investment in Africa? 

When it comes to the private sector investing in a particular sector in Africa, for example, the health industry, regulations such as licensing, registration and import registration are absent. When they enter new markets, private companies need to have a feasibility analysis done. They need to compare themselves to similar markets in Africa. But, if the regulations are not set in place, it’s hard for them to know how to perform.  

That’s why I think CABC has done an excellent job in this area advising Chinese private companies. Also, the council provides a good platform for Chinese companies to share their experiences of investment in Africa. 

What has the CABC done to promote Chinese investment in Africa? 

About 80 percent of our member companies are from the private sector. We have built a good platform for the private sector to develop and invest in cooperation projects in Africa. Our role is to facilitate connections between the private sector and different ministries.  

We are part of the communication process, and basically an agent in the chain. On one hand, we help our member companies to find the right contacts at ministries and embassies. We also draft feasibility studies and help organize field trips for government agencies to go to Africa to see things operate on the ground. Our key contacts include Chinese and African government agencies, Chinese embassies in Africa, African embassies in China and UN organizations. 

According to your observation, what are the changes in China-Africa cooperation over the past six years? 

First, perceptions are changing. Years ago, the West didn’t anticipate the Chinese investment in Africa. The perception of African people towards the Chinese and China’s presence in Africa has also been improving. CABC has played an important role in advocating all the good work the Chinese companies, mostly private ones, are doing in sectors like manufacturing, and building roads and railways. We are trying to push forward Chinese investment in the private sector. 

In addition, the investment sectors are changing and expanding. In the past years, Chinese investment in Africa mainly focused on infrastructure and manufacturing industries. But now in the recent past, we have witnessed a little bit of change in the interest of the private sector. For example, in the health sector, people are interested to open small clinics in Africa. The investment in sectors such as renewable energy, tourism, hotel and security has also been growing.  

What has the work experience in China brought to your studies and career development plan? 

My major is finance, but working in the CADC has helped train my skills in the sector of development and cooperation. It’s difficult for people to understand developing society and communities while living in Europe. But my six-year experience living and working in China has given me the real view of things in the biggest developing country. It was a wonderful experience. Also, contacts with people have provided me with so many insights. It has helped me find what I want to be and make my way for the future.  

I will pursue the one-year MIPP program at Johns Hopkins University in Washington D.C. in the United States. I’d like to focus my studies on China, using those six years of experience, my knowledge of the country and its system. In addition, the school has a very famous China Africa Research Initiative. I will see if I can help and contribute to their research, and I also hope to deepen my understanding of China-Africa cooperation from the researchers.