Over the past two decades, China has transformed its relationship with Africa from one of marginal engagement to a cornerstone of its global strategy.

Through massive infrastructure projects, resource extraction, military bases, and digital partnerships, Beijing has positioned itself as Africa’s most influential external actor.

But is this engagement an opportunity for mutual growth, or a form of modern-day dependency?

Belt and Road Initiative: Reshaping Africa’s Infrastructure

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) stands at the heart of China’s African policy. From Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway to Ethiopia’s industrial parks and Nigeria’s hydroelectric dams, Chinese-built projects are reshaping the continent’s physical and economic landscape. Supporters argue that Beijing provides financing and engineering expertise that Western donors long withheld. Critics counter that many of these projects saddle African governments with unsustainable debt, leaving them vulnerable to Chinese leverage.

Unlike Western aid, which often comes with political or governance conditions, Chinese loans are marketed as “no-strings attached.” This makes them attractive to African leaders eager for visible development projects. Yet, the long-term repayment burden and lack of transparency raise concerns that the BRI may be less about African prosperity and more about Beijing’s strategic reach.

Dependency or Development?

A central question is whether African nations are becoming too dependent on Chinese loans and investments. Angola, Zambia, and Kenya have faced mounting repayment crises. Zambia’s 2020 default highlighted the risk of overreliance on Beijing, as debt restructuring negotiations revealed how deeply Chinese creditors dominate its financial obligations.

At the same time, Chinese financing has built infrastructure that no one else was willing to fund. For leaders balancing political legitimacy at home, the immediate benefits—railways, highways, power stations—can outweigh long-term financial risks. Dependency, then, is not merely a byproduct of Chinese strategy, but also a choice made by African elites navigating global options.

Military Presence and Security Influence

China’s first overseas military base in Djibouti, opened in 2017, marked a turning point. Positioned strategically at the mouth of the Red Sea, the base supports anti-piracy operations but also extends Beijing’s military projection in Africa and the Indian Ocean. Chinese arms sales to African governments, from drones to light weapons, are increasing, challenging the dominance of Western and Russian suppliers.

For the U.S. and Europe, China’s military footprint raises questions about shifting balances of power. Will Beijing expand into West Africa’s Gulf of Guinea, or the resource-rich Sahel? While China publicly emphasizes “peacekeeping support” and “anti-terror cooperation,” its expanding security presence inevitably boosts its political influence over African regimes.

China and Africa’s Resource Wealth

China’s hunger for raw materials—oil, copper, cobalt, iron ore, and rare earths—drives much of its African engagement. Countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Angola have become deeply entwined with China through resource-backed loans and export contracts. Chinese companies now dominate cobalt mining in the DRC, fueling the global electric vehicle industry.

This has raised concerns of a resource trap, where African economies remain extractive rather than diversified. Beijing defends its role as mutually beneficial: Africa exports resources, and in return, it receives infrastructure and technology. Yet, the terms of trade often favor China, with African nations exporting raw materials and importing finished goods—a familiar pattern reminiscent of colonial economic structures.

Balancing Chinese Partnerships with Western Options

How do African leaders balance Chinese partnerships with Western aid and investment? The short answer: carefully. Many governments pursue a “multi-vector” strategy, playing China, the U.S., and Europe against each other to maximize benefits.

For example, Ethiopia has welcomed Chinese investments in rail and manufacturing but still relies on Western humanitarian aid and security partnerships. Nigeria seeks Chinese funding for power projects but remains tied to Western oil markets. This balancing act allows African states to avoid overdependence on any single power—but it also risks political fragmentation if external rivalries intensify.

Modern Development Partner or Neo-Colonial Actor?

Is China fostering genuine development, or is it practicing a modern form of neo-colonialism? Critics argue that Beijing extracts resources, burdens governments with debt, and imports its own labor—leaving minimal job creation for Africans. Proponents highlight the new roads, ports, and industrial zones that visibly improve daily life.

The reality is more complex. China’s role cannot be reduced to either benevolent partner or predatory power. Instead, it represents a new form of global competition where African agency matters just as much as Chinese ambition. Leaders who negotiate firmly can secure real gains; those who accept lopsided deals risk entrapment.

Public Reactions: Opportunities and Tensions

African populations have mixed reactions to Chinese presence. Many appreciate new infrastructure and affordable goods, yet resentment has grown in places where Chinese-owned businesses dominate local markets or labor practices sideline African workers. Protests in Zambia and Kenya against Chinese contractors reflect rising discontent.

Cultural influence also stirs debate. Confucius Institutes spread Mandarin and Chinese cultural diplomacy, but skeptics worry about Beijing’s control over academic discourse and media narratives. African societies are learning to navigate China’s growing soft power, weighing cultural exchange against the risk of dependency.

The Digital Frontier: Technology and Sovereignty

Perhaps the most underestimated dimension of China’s African strategy is the digital sphere. Chinese firms like Huawei provide affordable 5G networks, surveillance systems, and e-governance platforms. This creates opportunities for connectivity but raises sovereignty concerns. Will African governments gain autonomy, or will they be locked into Chinese-controlled digital ecosystems?

For regimes seeking stability, Chinese surveillance technology offers political control. For citizens, it may reduce privacy and civil liberties. The future of Africa’s digital independence may well hinge on how deeply China embeds itself in national infrastructures.

Africa in China’s Global Strategy

China’s engagement in Africa is not merely transactional—it is geostrategic. By embedding itself in infrastructure, resources, military affairs, and digital systems, Beijing ensures long-term influence on the continent. Africa, in turn, faces both opportunities for rapid modernization and risks of new dependencies.

The challenge for African nations is not whether to engage with China, but how. With strong negotiation, transparency, and diversification of partners, Africa can harness Chinese engagement to its advantage. Without them, Beijing’s rise could cement a new era of external dominance.