After investing in infrastructure and oil, China is now investing money in the African agricultural sector. Agriculture is one of Africa's main sources of revenue, but it's also one of the most plagued sectors. It's plagued by, amongst others, climate change and a lack of means. Last week the Chinese governor Chen Yuan spoke with African ministers of finance and banks and told them that the China Development Bank has planned investments in African agriculture. These investments are aimed at decreasing the food shortage.

The countries that currently profit from the Chinese money are primarily countries in southern Africa, amongst them Malawi and Mozambique. The total worth of the Chinese trade with Africa has increased tremendously the past few years and in 2007 came to about 73 billion dollars.

Future Vision by Erwin Van Lun on this article

Nearly invisibly and very slowly China and India are gaining the status of a developed country, something that’ll take decennia yet. In a parallel process Africa develops itself as a low-wages country to ultimately become at least just as prosperous as the rest of the world. We’ll be past 2050 then, though.

• in Dutch