The Art of Balance: Mauritius, Multi-Alignment, and the Global Currency Chessboard

The launch of an RMB clearing bank in Mauritius marks a bold step in financial diversification. By balancing ties with China and India, Port Louis signals a shift toward multi-currency systems – also challenging Europe to adapt its approach as African states seek flexibility beyond dollar dominance.

• Nadarajen Sivaramen
• Benedikt Erforth

Debating Trump 2.0 and Implications for Africa – “Mauritius must act like a small boat in turbulent waters”

In this interview with Megatrends Afrika, Nad Sivaramen discusses implications of Trump 2.0 for Mauritius and the broader Indian Ocean region. He outlines how a small island state can navigate this new, volatile world. 

• Gerda Asmus
• Vera Z. Eichenauer
• Andreas Fuchs
• Bradley Parks

Is India the New China? Rivalries in Development Finance

• German

India prioritizes Africa and Asia in its allocation of development projects to the Global South. Our research shows that India tends to make financial commitments in areas where China has increased its activities. This appears to be driven by commercial competition, Gerda Asmus (University of Göttingen), Vera Z. Eichenauer (ETH Zurich), Andreas Fuchs (University of Göttingen and IfW Kiel), and Bradley Parks (William & Mary) write in this Megatrends Afrika Spotlight.

• Karoline Eickhoff
• Tobias Berger

Multipolarity in East Africa: India’s Role in Kenya

• German

The influence of external actors in the Horn of Africa is usually measured in terms of material resources. India’s role in the region, however, is predominantly based on non-material factors such as shared historical memories and social ties seen in the Indo-African diaspora. In our article “Power, Status and Memory in Indo-East African Relations”, recently published in the South African Journal of International Affairs, we look at the significance of these factors in Indo-Kenyan relations.