Over the past two decades, China's footprint in African infrastructure development has expanded dramatically. Beijing has invested heavily in roads, railways, ports, and other essential infrastructure across almost all African nations, with loan commitments exceeding $140 billion. By 2020, 49 African countries had formalized agreements under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), underscoring the breadth of its engagement. China-Africa trade has soared, rising from $11.67 billion in 2000 to a staggering $257.67 billion by 2022, making China Africa’s largest trading partner, eclipsing traditional allies like the UK and the US. Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa similarly rose, increasing from $75 million in 2003 to a peak of $5 billion in 2021.
Critics in the West have coined the term "debt-trap diplomacy" to describe China's African strategy, arguing that Beijing’s loans for infrastructure projects create unsustainable financial burdens, enabling China to exert control. Examples such as Zambia and Uganda are frequently cited. Zambia, for instance, owes China approximately $5.05 billion—around 30% of its total external debt, which represents nearly 20% of its GDP. Meanwhile, in Uganda, concerns have been raised that China might take control of Entebbe International Airport due to loan repayment terms.
This narrative, however, is contested. Supporters of China’s investments argue that they have led to substantial infrastructure improvements and economic benefits for Africa. Chinese-built projects, including roads, railways, and telecommunications networks, have bolstered connectivity and created jobs. Huawei, a Chinese tech giant, has expanded digital infrastructure in over 40 African countries, and major rail projects, such as the Nairobi-Mombasa railway in Kenya, have enhanced trade and boosted local economies.
