Sabella Abidde and Victor Adetula (Editors)

Economic diplomacy has emerged as a pivotal tool for countries navigating the complex landscape of international relations. This concept encompasses various economic instruments, including international trade, foreign direct investment, development assistance programs, loans, and financial incentives. Therefore, the primary aim of this edited volume is to examine how Taiwan—despite its diplomatic isolation in much of Africa—utilizes economic tools and strategies to advance its foreign policy and national security goals. Taiwan was a reliable partner in developing several African countries for many decades. Partners and benefactors of Taiwan’s assistance and support included The Gambia, Burkina Faso, Congo, Eswatini, Rwanda, Malawi, Botswana, Liberia, and the Central African Republic.

Arguably, Taiwan’s numerous diplomatic setbacks since the 1970s, primarily brought on by China, prompted it to pay greater attention to economic diplomacy, which it fully engaged in in its relationship with Africa. While the use of economic instruments in the conduct of external relations was not a new development per se, the changing dynamics in the global system, particularly the unwholesome developments in its relationship with China, made the deployment of economic diplomacy very compelling for Taiwan in an increasingly interconnected and interrelated global system.

An overview of the historical context provides a valuable guide. From 1949 until 1970, the Republic of China (ROC/Taiwan) and the People’s Republic of China (PRC/China) were engaged in a Cold War in Africa, competing for influence and political supremacy. For a time, Taiwan appeared to have the support of many more African governments and, consequently, held the upper hand. However, by October 1971—after the United Nations General Assembly, via Resolution 2758, voted to admit China and expel Taiwan—the diplomatic fortunes of Taiwan dwindled, whilst those of China soared exponentially. By the twenty-first century’s second decade, Taiwan could claim only one ally, Eswatini. The second, Somaliland, is a contested state lacking power, influence, or tangible diplomatic strength. China ensured that Taiwan remained diplomatically isolated.

Despite Taiwan’s challenging position on the African continent, it has remained visible and relevant. It engages in formal and informal bilateral and multilateral relationships with a select few states, societies, institutions, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and influential decision-makers across the continent. Furthermore, Taiwan invites funds scholars and researchers interested in the study of Taiwan to visit and conduct archival research on a short-term basis. Additionally, Taiwan funds African students pursuing graduate and postgraduate studies at its many globally ranked universities.

And despite China’s opposition to Taiwan’s involvement in the African and global political arenas through aggressive foreign policy and various military and other forms of threats, Taiwan remains determined and undaunted. To date, it is engaged in African affairs through several avenues, principally via its Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), also known as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO). These governmental institutions function as de facto embassies or consulates. Furthermore, the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF) operates in approximately a dozen countries, focusing on public health and medicine, education, information and communications technology, environmental issues, and small and medium enterprises. A distinctive feature of Taiwan’s economic diplomacy is its engagements through the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), which is tasked with developing economic relations with countries irrespective of whether they have diplomatic ties with Taiwan. Much of what TECRO, ICDF, and TAITRA undertake through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) is, emphatically speaking, economic diplomacy.

The primary aim of this edited volume is to critically analyze the mechanisms and implications of Taiwan’s economic diplomacy in Africa. Specific objectives include:

  1. To trace the historical trajectory of Taiwan’s engagement with African nations and the evolution of its economic diplomacy strategies.
  2. To conceptualize and theorize the role of economic diplomacy in Taiwan’s foreign policy framework.
  3. To examine China’s perceived lack of opposition regarding Taiwan’s economic activities in Africa.
  4. To investigate the operational roles of Taiwan’s economic institutions, such as the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO), Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (TaiwanICDF), and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
  5. To evaluate how African governments benefit from Taiwan’s economic initiatives.
  6. To explore the dichotomy between dollar diplomacy and economic diplomacy.
  7. To assess Taiwan’s potential transition from economic diplomacy towards increased diplomatic recognition in Africa.

The volume will be structured around several central themes, each addressing pressing questions in the context of Taiwan’s economic engagement in Africa:

  • Conceptualizing and Theorizing Economic Diplomacy
  • Historical Context of Taiwan’s Engagement with Africa
  • The Benefits of Economic Diplomacy for African Governments
  • TaiwanICDF’s Impact on Public Health, Education, and Development
  • Participation of Private Taiwanese Citizens in African Economies
  • The Taiwan External Trade Development Council’s Role in Africa
  • Taiwan’s Development Assistance Programs in East Africa
  • Economic Relations Between Taiwan, South Africa and Nigeria
  • Strategic Competition: China vs. Taiwan in Economic Diplomacy
  • The Cases of Eswatini and Somaliland in Context
  • The Role of NGOs in Facilitating Taiwan’s Economic Diplomacy
  • Responses of African Governments to Taiwan’s Economic Diplomacy
  • Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund’s Activities in Africa
  • Private Taiwanese Citizens’ Participation in the Local Economy
  • African Governments and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
  • Taiwan’s Development Assistance Programs in East Africa
  • Taiwan-South Africa Economic Relations
  • China Vs Taiwan: The Strategic Use of Economic Diplomacy
  • Eswatini, Somaliland and Economic Diplomacy
  • Africa’s NGOs and Taiwan’s Economic Diplomacy
  • Dollar diplomacy versus Economic Diplomacy

This edited volume will comprehensively examine Taiwan’s economic diplomacy in Africa, contributing to the broader discourse on international relations, development, and soft power strategies. By showcasing a range of perspectives and analyses, this book aims to illuminate how Taiwan navigates its unique position within Africa through effective economic engagements despite diplomatic challenges. The book will appeal to scholars, policymakers, and practitioners interested in international relations, diplomatic studies, and African development, and those focused explicitly on Taiwan’s role in the global political arena.

This concept note can be a foundation for discussions with potential contributors and stakeholders in the academic and diplomatic communities. We invite scholars, researchers, and retired economic and diplomatic community members to participate in the discussions. Nonetheless, interested contributors may also ask other questions and suggest topics if their suggestions fall within the overall thrust of the book or are likely to create a new path in our understanding of economic diplomacy and/or Taiwan’s use of ED on the African continent.

Requirements And Due Dates:

  • Submit a 300-350-word abstract and a 200-word biography by April 30, 2025.
  • You will be notified of the acceptance or rejection of your abstract by May 15.
  • The first draft of your chapter (7000 to 8500 words) is due September 30. The final draft will be due October 30, 2025. Publication is expected in Spring 2026.
  • For formatting/citation, please adhere to the APA style (7th Edition).
  • Send your abstracts and inquiries to sabidde@gmail.com, and please cc the co-editor at vadetula@gmail.com

The Editors:

Sabella Abidde is a professor of political science and a member of the graduate faculty of Alabama State University. He is an alumnus of Saint Cloud State University, Minnesota; Minnesota State University, Mankato; University of Oklahoma, Norman; and Howard University. His edited and co-edited volumes include U.S. Foreign Policy Toward Taiwan: Ambiguity and Commitment in International Relations (Springer, 2025); China and Taiwan in Latin America and the Caribbean (Palgrave MacMillan, 2024); China in Africa: Between Imperialism and Partnership in Humanitarian Development (Lexington Books, 2023); and China and Taiwan in Africa: The Struggle for Diplomatic Recognition and Hegemony (Springer, 2022). Dr. Abidde is a member of the American Association for Chinese Studies (AACS); the Association of Global South Studies (AGSS); and the African Studies and Research Forum (ASRF). He was a 2023 Taiwan Fellow and a 2024 Carnegie African Diaspora Fellow.

Victor Adetula is a Professor of International Relations & Development Studies at the University of Jos (Nigeria), an Associate Fellow of The Nordic Africa Institute (NAI) Uppsala-Sweden, and an Adjunct Professor at the Abo Akademi University, Finland. Among his published works are “Electoral Democracy, Foreign Capital Flows and the Human Rights Infrastructure in Nigeria” (co-authored with Olugbemi Jaiyebo) in Yenkong Ngangjoh Hodu and Makane Mbengue (eds.) African Perspectives in International Law Investment (Manchester University Press, 2020); and Political Finance in the Digital Age: The Case of Nigeria (International IDEA, Stockholm-Sweden, 2024). He was the Claude Ake Visiting Professor in the Department of Peace & Conflict Research, University of Uppsala (2013). Professor Adetula has a PhD in Political Science (Political Economy & Development Studies) from the University of Jos and an M.Sc in International Relations from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria.