"This policy brief reveals the complexity of Chinese media engagement with African countries, highlighting involvement from both state and private actors through a variety of forms. At its core, China aims to champion its development paradigm as a viable alternative to Western models, augment its soft power, strengthen economic links, and sway public opinion to counterbalance prevailing Western narratives. Furthermore, this policy brief highlights the critical role of economic conditions and the political economy of the media in shaping the agency of African media organizations. It demonstrates that media entities with robust commercial strategies, situated in environments with relatively independent media regulations (e.g., Kenya), exhibit a more assertive agency compared to those in settings characterized by restricted press freedoms and scarce commercial opportunities (e.g., Ethiopia). To effectively counter authoritarian media influence, it is crucial to strengthen cooperation mechanisms within European media and development organizations, and to support African media organizations by improving their economic conditions and assisting them in developing comprehensive evaluation frameworks" (Abstract)