Written by: Badr Ahmed

Relations between China and African countries have expanded significantly over the past two decades, with Beijing becoming one of the most prominent economic and political players on the continent, through huge investments that have extended to the infrastructure, energy, mining and communications sectors.

This expansion was driven mainly by the Belt and Road Initiative launched in 2013, which reshaped the map of Chinese economic influence globally, with a particular focus on developing countries, especially African countries.

From infrastructure to political influence

The relationship between China and Africa dates back to the 1950s, when Beijing supported national liberation movements, before the relationship gradually transformed into an economic partnership based on mutual interests.

With the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in 2000, trade and investment ties were strengthened, with China becoming Africa’s largest trading partner since 2009, with trade volume reaching hundreds of billions of dollars annually.

Chinese investments in Africa focus on major infrastructure projects such as roads, railways, ports and power plants.

High-profile projects such as the Mombasa-Nairobi railway in Kenya and the Djibouti-Ethiopia railway have contributed to strengthening regional connectivity and improving trade flow.

However, these projects, despite their developmental importance, are often financed through soft loans linked to natural resources, which has raised increasing concerns about debt sustainability.

How is China moving in Africa?

There is widespread criticism of what is known as debt-trap diplomacy, as some African countries face increasing financial burdens as a result of heavy borrowing from China, raising concerns about economic sovereignty.

Cases such as Djibouti and Zambia point to growing financial pressures, with a heavy reliance on Chinese loans, sometimes without full transparency in debt recording.

The trade relationship also reveals a structural imbalance, as African countries export raw materials such as oil and minerals, while importing high-value Chinese manufactured products, deepening economic dependence and limiting opportunities for local manufacturing.

This pattern keeps the continent in the position of a supplier of raw materials without achieving a real industrial transformation.

On the social level, Chinese projects face criticism regarding the preference for Chinese labor over local labor, which reduces job opportunities and the transfer of expertise.

Environmental concerns have also been raised in connection with mining activities, particularly in countries such as the Democratic Republic of Congo, where some projects have caused water pollution and ecosystem degradation.

In addition to the economic dimension, China has expanded its geopolitical presence within Africa, taking advantage of the continent’s strategic location on global trade routes.

In Djibouti, Beijing established its first overseas military base in 2017 to secure navigation in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden. It has also increased its investments in Egypt, particularly in the Suez Canal Economic Zone, giving it a strategic position in trade between Asia and Europe.

In conclusion, Chinese investments in Africa represent a mix of opportunities and challenges. They contribute to bridging infrastructure gaps and driving economic growth, but at the same time raise questions about debt, economic dependence, and environmental and social impact.

The future of this partnership remains dependent on the ability of African countries to strengthen local manufacturing and diversify their economies, as well as to develop more balanced cooperation frameworks that ensure mutual benefit for both parties.