China is making a big move in Africa, and it’s catching the attention of the world. The ninth Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), held in Beijing in September 2024, was an important event. It wasn’t just about economics anymore—China’s relationship with Africa is becoming more political and even military-focused. This shift is starting to worry Western countries, especially the United States.
Why China is Interested in Africa
Africa has been growing in global importance, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Countries around the world, including the US and the EU, have been hosting Africa-focused summits, trying to build strong ties with the continent. Africa has a lot to offer: it’s rich in natural resources, has a rapidly growing population, and is seen as a key player in the future of the global economy.
China is well aware of Africa’s potential. In the early 2000s, China focused on being a strong economic partner to Africa, investing heavily in infrastructure, mining, and trade. Now, the relationship is evolving. At the 2024 FOCAC summit, China announced a series of new initiatives, including training African civil servants, increasing military cooperation, and providing over $100 million to support African armed forces. This signals that China is no longer just an economic partner; it’s becoming a key political and military ally.
The West Is Getting Nervous
While China is building closer ties with Africa, it’s doing so cautiously to avoid direct political confrontation with Western powers. But this is becoming harder as tensions between China and the West, particularly the US, are rising.
The US sees Africa as a battleground for influence and is pushing back against China’s growing presence. One example of this rivalry is the competition between China and the US over key infrastructure projects in Africa. China is working with Tanzania and Zambia to modernize the Tanzania-Zambia Railway (TAZARA), a major railway system that was originally built by China in the 1970s. The US, on the other hand, is heavily investing in the Lobito Corridor, a project to improve transportation infrastructure in the region for exporting minerals like copper and cobalt.
The key difference? Chinese companies control many of the major mines in the region, giving China a clear advantage in the transportation and export of these minerals. If China succeeds in upgrading the TAZARA railway, it could dominate this vital part of Africa’s economy, leaving the US struggling to keep up.
The Money Talk: China’s $50 Billion Offer
At the FOCAC summit, China promised to provide $50 billion to African countries over the next three years. This sounds like a lot of money, but it’s important to look at the details. Only about $11 billion of that will be actual financial aid. The rest will be in the form of loans and investments. This is typical of the financial aid that many global powers offer Africa—it often comes with strings attached.
For example, the US promised $55 billion to Africa at its 2022 summit, and the EU pledged $170 billion over seven years. However, much of this money goes back to the donor countries themselves, as it’s often used to buy goods or pay for services that benefit the donor more than the recipient.
In China’s case, the loans will help African countries, but they will also ensure that China’s previous loans are repaid. After the pandemic, many African countries struggled to pay off their debts, leading to economic reforms in countries like Ghana, Kenya, and Nigeria. China scaled back its lending during this time, but now it’s increasing its financial support again—likely to make sure it gets back the money it already lent.
What Does This Mean for Africa?
Africa is slowly becoming more industrialized, and this could lead to even stronger ties with China. As China’s population ages and its workforce shrinks, it may move some of its production facilities to Africa, where labor is cheaper and more plentiful. Countries like Ethiopia and Tanzania are likely to benefit from this, as China has already invested heavily in their energy and transportation infrastructure.
But Africa will need to be careful. While China’s investments can help the continent grow, they often come with conditions. China is focused on ensuring that its loans are repaid and that its own interests are protected.
What’s Next?
China’s cautious, yet strategic approach to Africa is reshaping the continent’s political and economic landscape. As the US and China vie for influence in Africa, the continent finds itself at the center of a global power struggle. China’s growing involvement is transforming it from just another economic partner into a key political and military ally for many African nations. This could push Africa into new directions, but it may also increase tensions with the West.
Will Africa be able to balance its relationships with global powers, or will China’s deepening involvement spark further conflict with the West? One thing is clear—Africa’s role in the global economy and politics is only going to grow. And as it does, the world will be watching.
