Zhou Jinyan, A Multi-polar World in the Making:Opportunities and Risks for Africa

　　Abstract: With the relative declining of American power at the beginning of the 21st century, the rise of emerging economies, especially “BRICS countries” marked an important change in the international order. In a changing world order, the African continent, thanks to its strong economic growth, has greatly enhanced its international status. From the perspective of African own development, the multi-polar world has brought opportunities for Africa's economic development. For example, African economies are further integrated with the fast-growing emerging markets, the mining sector are becoming more attractive to foreign investments, African participation in global economic governance are deepening, and the rapid development of information technology benefits the leapfrog development of African science and technology, and so on. At the same time, African countries also face challenges in agriculture, mining, industry, infrastructure, regional integration, foreign trade and investment, as well as management of foreign aid. Thus African countries need to address these challenges at all levels. Social scientists, through their research and discussion, can provide intellectual support for Africa to grasp the development opportunities and tackle challenges.