African leaders gathered in Beijing for the China-Africa summit, where Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized the notion of a “shared future” with the continent. This three-day event, known as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), concluded on September 6, with a focus on higher-quality, “green” investments.
Xi’s speech at the summit was likely to focus on Beijing’s strategic interests, including securing mineral resources and gaining political support from Global South countries. China is transitioning from large infrastructure projects to more sustainable public-private partnerships, aiming to increase trade and access raw materials like copper, cobalt, and lithium from countries like Botswana, Namibia, and Zimbabwe.
Following recent debt restructuring agreements with several African nations, China is expected to be more cautious with large loans compared to pre-pandemic practices. This shift comes amid ongoing criticism of China’s debt-laden overseas development projects, particularly its Belt and Road initiative, which critics argue exacerbates debt problems in some countries.
Despite these concerns, Chinese and African leaders rejected the “debt trap” accusations at the summit. Senegalese President Macky Sall, who assumed the co-chairmanship of FOCAC for the next three years, stated that their financial dealings with China were “perfectly under control.” He emphasized that they should not be swayed by criticism regarding their relationship.
Xi, for his part, declared that the summit marked “a new chapter in the history of China-Africa relations.” South African President Cyril Ramaphosa, who handed over the co-chairmanship to Sall, highlighted the agreement to “work hard to increase Africa’s value-added exports to China” as another key achievement of the summit.
China’s interest in Africa extends beyond economic ties. Xi’s Belt and Road Initiative, though criticized for its potential to trap poorer countries in debt and offer minimal local benefits, remains a key focal point. Beijing aims to counter the narrative that its approach to Africa is colonial and extractive.
For Xi, cooperation with Africa is about securing not only trade advantages but also political influence. His foreign policy seeks to reshape the global order to align with China’s interests, including promoting a more authoritarian model of governance. China aspires to become a global rule-maker rather than a rule-taker, challenging the US-led international order. To achieve its geostrategic goals, China has been seeking support from other countries, particularly those with poorer economies and at international forums.
China’s growing presence in Africa is evident. African nations frequently support Beijing at the United Nations, and China enjoys high approval ratings in countries like Nigeria, Kenya, and South Africa. However, this influence can also challenge African norms related to democracy and human rights.
South Africa, as a BRICS member, has joined China’s New Development Bank and other Chinese-led initiatives. China has also persuaded several African countries to sever ties with democratic Taiwan.
At the summit, China and Africa are set to launch green and sustainable projects, such as mushroom cultivation and biogas promotion. Beijing also aims to boost Africa’s capacity for independent development and poverty alleviation. While China has invested heavily in African infrastructure in the past, the focus is shifting towards healthcare, sustainable development, the digital economy, and innovation. Chinese sovereign lending is at its lowest in two decades, and public-private partnerships are expected to become a more prominent investment model.
