For decades, Africa has been a battleground for global economic influence, with China and Western nations fighting for dominance in infrastructure, trade, and investment; mostly through exploitation (Drayton, The Guardian, 2005), namely the Scramble for Africa. While Western countries have historically maintained economic and political ties with African nations, with a colonial foundation, China’s aggressive investment strategy over the past two decades has dramatically reshaped the continent’s economic landscape; which begs the question: “Is China’s recent involvement in Africa a threat or an opportunity?
China’s Investment in Africa
China’s approach to African investment has been characterized by large-scale infrastructure projects, resource extraction, and strategic diplomatic engagement. Through its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), China has financed and constructed roads, railways, ports, bridges, and power plants across the continent, such as the Tazara Railway. By 2022, China had assisted in the construction of 6,000km of railway lines (The Economist, 2024). The Export-Import Bank of China, China Development Bank, and other state-backed entities provide billions in loans and credit lines to African governments, often with fewer political conditions compared to Western lenders (The Economist, 2024).
One of China’s key advantages is its ability to provide infrastructure financing without the governance and human rights stipulations that often accompany Western aid. This has made China an attractive partner for African governments looking to rapidly develop their economies. According to the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI), Chinese loans to Africa reached over $153 billion between 2000 and 2019, with countries like Angola, Ethiopia, and Kenya among the top beneficiaries. Moreover, African countries that had just gained independence saw China as a partner in comparison to the West’s colonial
tactics.
Debt Trapping
On the other hand, critics argue that China’s investment model has created debt sustainability issues, more commonly known as debt trapping; especially considering that China requests that these loans are repaid in full, whereas the West was more lenient. As a result, China has become the largest bilateral lender to Africa, earning the title of the “World’s biggest debt collector” (Radhakrishna & Francis, The Hindu, 2024). Several African nations, including Zambia, which defaulted on its debt obligations (Wachira, Global Finance Magazine, 2024), have faced difficulties in meeting their financial commitments, sparking concerns about Beijing’s influence over these economies. China, however, has refuted these claims.
Chinese loans to Africa reached over $153 billion between 2000 and 2019 and this number continues to grow. Most of these funds were directed toward Africa’s energy sector, transportation, information and communication technology, and the financial sector. In 2023, Chinese lenders committed to 13 new loans worth $4.61 billion across eight African countries1 and two regional financial institutions. This marks the highest lending volume since 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it remains significantly lower than the peak Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) years (2013-2018), when annual commitments regularly exceeded $10 billion (Boston University Global Development Center, 2024).
Chinese Military Presence in Africa
Moreover, there are claims that China is utilizing Africa as a military hub. In 2017, China set up its first military base in Djibouti, located near the Western military presence in the region, and there is ongoing speculation about a potential expansion to Equatorial Guinea. China sells more military equipment to Sub-Saharan Africa than anyone else; China recently displaced Russia as the largest arms exporter to countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. Beijing has captured a 10% share of an arms market that is increasingly crowded and competitive, despite being small by global standards, according to the Stockholm
International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). At least 21 countries in Sub-Saharan Africa received major-arms deliveries from China between 2019 and 2023 and approximately 70% of all African armies now operate Chinese armoured vehicles.. With all this in mind, China has been accused of neocolonialism. In 2022, China threatened to take over Uganda’s sole international airport if they would not settle their debt of $200 million for the expansion of the site; China responded by saying “They have
never taken an airport before.” (The Economist, 2024)
China’s Goals in Africa
China is deepening its economic, political, and technological ties with Africa, pledging $51 billion in loans, investments, and aid to create one million jobs (Chen & Cash, Reuters, 2024). Key areas of cooperation include industrialization, agriculture, infrastructure, and trade. Additionally, China is promoting its clean energy technologies by funding 30 new projects, aiming to position itself as a leader in Africa’s green transition. However, concerns about debt sustainability persist, with some African nations wary of over-reliance on Chinese loans (Hua & Steinhauser, Wall Street Journal, 2024)
Beyond economics, China is strengthening its diplomatic influence in Africa to reshape global governance and counter Western dominance. The 2024 FOCAC Summit emphasized long-term cooperation through the Beijing Declaration, reinforcing China’s strategic partnership with African nations (Trillo-Figuero & Hafez, China-US Focus, 2024). Africa’s support is crucial for China’s global ambitions, ensuring access to natural resources while fostering economic and geopolitical alliances. As
China navigates its slowing domestic economy, Africa remains a critical partner in its broader international strategy
1 Angola, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia, Nigeria, Sudan, the Republic of the Congo, and Egypt
Resources
The Economist, 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBHqjYuJ5eI
https://www.bu.edu/gdp/2024/08/21/relative-risk-and-the-rate-of-return-chinese-loans-to-africa-d
atabase-2000-2023/
Wachira, Global Finance Magazine, 2024:
https://gfmag.com/economics-policy-regulation/africa-china-trade-debt-loans/
Chen & Cash, Reuters, 2024:
https://www.reuters.com/world/china-deepen-industrial-agricultural-trade-investment-ties-with-afr
ica-2024-09-05/
Hua & Steinhauser, Wall Street Journal, 2024:
https://www.wsj.com/world/china-shores-up-ties-with-africa-despite-slowing-economy-and-frictio
n-over-debt-94079613
Drayton, The Guardian, 2005: https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2005/aug/20/past.hearafrica05