Dr Innocent Batsani-Ncube

Innocent (Ib) is a Usawa Postdoctoral Research Fellow within the Politics Department’s political economy and infrastructure thematic cluster. 

He specialises in the politics and political economy of intra-global South relations, in particular, the relations between China (state and business actors) and African, Caribbean and Pacific States. His current work explores the developing phenomenon of Chinese firms’ encroachment and dominance in the African, Caribbean and Pacific political economies. 

Given the expanding role of China as a major economic power from the global South and its entrenchment of political influence in African, Caribbean and Pacific countries – that collectively constitute 40% of sovereign states – Ib’s research spotlights Chinese companies’ effects on the political and economic balance of power, both within host countries and in their international relationships.

Ib’s PhD explored how intra-global South donor relationships are transforming domestic political institutions through tracing the politics and implications of Chinese government funded and constructed Parliament buildings in Lesotho, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Prior to the PhD, Ib managed civil society projects that sought to promote political participation and civic engagement. His career highlights include serving twice as project manager for the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF) funded civic projects and being the Founding Executive Director of the Contemporary Affairs Foundation (CA-F).

• Intra-global South relations
• Political and economic relations between China (state and business actors) and African, Caribbean and Pacific States
• Westminster-adapted parliamentary politics in the global South
• Politics of Sport