Over the years, China’s presence in Africa has increased significantly. China’s public and private sectors have provided African nations with infrastructure investments centered around ports, railways, and telecommunications, all in a bid to cement their impact on the continent.
Currently, China is involved in infrastructural projects in over 35 countries in Africa. These projects are mainly in Angola, Nigeria, and Sudan. However China’s ambitions are not limited to these regions, as numerous new projects are in the planning stages, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. With the increase in the number of these projects in the continent, we explore the motivation and impact of China’s relationship with Africa.
Assessments from the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB) reveal that China is engaged in projects across the continent. Chinese Africa Research Initiative reveals that the gross annual revenues of Chinese companies’ engineering and construction projects in Africa totaled US$38 billion and 19.4% of global revenues for Chinese companies.
Currently, China’s projects in Africa include; transportation: the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya, the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia; energy: hydroelectric dams in Zambia and Angola; telecommunications; Ports and Airports: Djibouti’s Doraleh Multipurpose Port and Addis Ababa Bole International Airport; all geared towards improving trade and access to minerals resources within the continent.
Africa’s abundant natural resources make China’s presence on the continent important, as China’s numerous industries require raw materials for processing. China’s infrastructure projects in Africa facilitate the efficient extraction and transportation of these resources. Also, due to the transportation and communication projects, access to markets has become more efficient, enhancing trade and commerce within the continent and globally.
Aside from economic benefits, there are diplomatic benefits between China and its host African countries. Reports reveal that China’s global reputation and diplomatic ties have been strengthened, providing China with strategic allies in global politics. For African countries, this relationship offers a valuable alternative to relying solely on Western nations.
Concerns have been raised about the sustainability of the debts incurred by African nations from Chinese loans and their ability to pay off these debts. Ensuring that local communities benefit equitably from these infrastructure developments has been an issue synonymous with the Chinese presence in Africa. Some have argued that China’s plans in Africa are not any different from that of the West.
The environmental impact of these large-scale infrastructure projects has been brought into question. Habitat disruption and resource depletion have drawn attention and scrutiny from local and international observers. Issues of land acquisition and displacement of the natives from their ancestral homes for the accommodation of these infrastructural projects have risen and also put a dent in China’s operations.
As China continues its exploration, the emphasis on more environmental considerations in infrastructure projects is growing. As well as more involvement of the locals, private sectors and governments in the project planning and execution to promote transparency. There is also a rising call for China to invest more in traditional sectors, with a focus on digital infrastructure and renewable energy projects across Africa.
