On Saturday the 25th of January, The Oxford Africa Society (AfriSoc) and Imperial College Africa Business Club locked heads in a thrilling debate. The two societies aimed to assess whether foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa, from China, was a catalyst for growth or a form of neo-colonialism. Engaging discussions unfolded from both sides, reflecting on politics, strategies for national development and critical questions on what values should guide Africans in our pursuit for a better standard of living.
Oxford Secures Victory
Oxford University emerged victorious, with an exceptional team spearheaded by Wantoe Wantoe, Mercy Masanga, Floris Gast and Taurai Samuel Banda. The team convincingly argued that FDI from China constituted a form of neocolonialism. They highlighted how the inequitable terms imposed on African countries, compounded by escalating debt and interest rates created a net negative impact on African economies. The team also advocated for the prioritisation of regional and national development in order to grow sustainably and maintain independence.
In explaining the team's victory, Mercy Masanga stated:
'The key to our team's success was collaboration. From rehearsals to the debate itself, we ensured our arguments were cohesive and our narrative flowed seamlessly. We paid special attention to verifying our facts, particularly the statistics, as numbers speak for themselves. Using data to support our case made our arguments both compelling and credible.'
Imperial College, however, delivered a strong and well-reasoned counterargument. They underscored the unique advantages of FDI, such as improved infrastructure and the establishment of functional systems that might not have been possible without Chinese investment. Notably, they discussed a very important factor around political negotiations.
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Remarking on the outcomes of the debate and the wider significance of the meet, Imperial’s Emmanuel Thomas-Ako had this to say:
‘I believe conversations like this draw our attention to pressing issues that might otherwise be left unattended, especially by young people. If we (Africans) do not understand our history, our errors, and avoid discussing them, then we’re bound to keep repeating them. It's important for us to have these conversations frequently to prepare our generation to create a better Africa.’
Oxford’s Floris Gast also remarked:
‘It’s not just about debating abstract theories—it’s about sparking dialogue that bridges the gap between policy, investment, and lived realities. These also highlight the agency of African voices in shaping their own development trajectories, while offering the global academic community a chance to rethink assumptions about the continent.’
An Important First Meet
This debate sparked the beginning of a partnership and relationship between the OAS and Imperial College Africa Business Club, opening the door for future events and socials.
A topical discussion for many Africans working within the development, economic and financial spaces, the debate was also well attended by Africans from both societies and inspired conversations beyond the seminar room. When asked what the hope is for future events, the debaters commented:
‘We (Africans) are a minority in the UK, so it's important for us to find opportunities to connect. I hope the Oxford vs Imperial debate is the start of many other inter-varsity events that we hold. I would like to see these events range from even more debates to sports, science & technology, and business, finance & investment summits.’- Emmanual Thomas-Ako
The two societies hope to continue working and supporting eachothers' projects in the upcoming years- fostering a strong intellectual and social relationship that provides spaces for African scholars in the UK.
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