Why Africa should review and recalibrate its relationship with China

Africa and China have a long history of economic and political ties, dating back to the 1950s when many African countries gained their independence from colonial powers. China supported the liberation movements and provided aid and investment to the newly formed states.

Since then, China has become Africa’s largest trading partner, a major source of infrastructure financing, and a key player in regional and global affairs.

However, in recent years, some critics have raised concerns about the nature and impact of China’s engagement with Africa. They argue that China is exploiting Africa’s natural resources, creating debt traps, undermining governance and human rights standards, and eroding Africa’s sovereignty and agency.

They also claim that China is pursuing its own strategic interests in Africa, such as securing access to markets, raw materials, and political influence, at the expense of Africa’s development and security.

These criticisms are not entirely unfounded, but they also overlook some of the benefits and opportunities that China’s presence in Africa offers. China has contributed to Africa’s economic growth, poverty reduction, infrastructure development, and regional integration.

China has also supported Africa’s participation in multilateral platforms, such as the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). China has also cooperated with Africa on various issues of common concern, such as climate change, public health, peace and security, and digital transformation.

Therefore, it is not a question of whether Africa should engage with China or not, but rather how Africa should engage with China in a way that maximizes its benefits and minimizes its risks. This requires a comprehensive and nuanced understanding of the opportunities and challenges that China’s involvement in Africa presents, as well as a clear vision of Africa’s own interests and priorities. It also requires a proactive and pragmatic approach that leverages Africa’s strengths and capabilities, while addressing its weaknesses and vulnerabilities.

Trade and investment: Africa should diversify its exports to China, reduce its trade deficit, negotiate fairer terms for Chinese loans and projects, promote local content and value addition, enhance environmental and social safeguards, and foster more balanced and sustainable economic partnerships.

Governance and human rights: Africa should uphold its own values and standards of democracy, rule of law, human rights, and good governance, while engaging with China on these issues through dialogue and cooperation. Africa should also protect its sovereignty and independence from external interference or pressure.

Security and peace: Africa should enhance its own capacity to address its security challenges, while seeking China’s support for peacekeeping, counter-terrorism, maritime security, and conflict resolution. Africa should also ensure that its security cooperation with China does not undermine its relations with other partners or regional organizations.

Development and cooperation: Africa should align its development agenda with China’s cooperation initiatives, such as the FOCAC action plan, the BRI projects, and the AfCFTA framework. Africa should also leverage China’s experience and expertise in areas such as industrialization, urbanization, digitalization, agriculture, education, health, and innovation.

Global governance: Africa should strengthen its voice and influence in global affairs, while working with China to reform the international system to make it more inclusive, representative, and responsive to the needs and aspirations of developing countries. Africa should also collaborate with China on global challenges such as climate change, pandemic response, debt relief, multilateral trade, and human development.

By reviewing and recalibrating its relationship with China in these areas, Africa can enhance its strategic partnership with China in a way that serves its long-term interests and goals.

This will also enable Africa to pursue a more diversified and balanced foreign policy that engages with other partners on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. Ultimately, this will contribute to Africa’s vision of achieving a peaceful, prosperous, and integrated continent.

Some challenges and criticisms have emerged in the Africa-China relationship. Some of these include:

• The debt burden and sustainability of some African countries that have borrowed heavily from China for infrastructure projects.

• The environmental and social impacts of some Chinese investments and activities in Africa, such as mining, logging and wildlife trade.

• The lack of transparency and accountability of some Chinese actors in Africa, such as state-owned enterprises, private companies and individuals.

• The perceived imbalance and inequality of the Africa-China partnership, which is often seen as favoring China’s interests over Africa’s needs and aspirations.

These issues have raised questions about the benefits and costs of the Africa-China relationship, as well as its future direction and prospects. Therefore, it is important for African countries to review and recalibrate their relationship with China, in order to: Ensure that the relationship is based on mutual respect, trust and cooperation, and that it aligns with Africa’s own vision and agenda for development.

Enhance the quality and diversity of the relationship, by expanding the areas of cooperation beyond trade and infrastructure, to include sectors such as health, education, agriculture, science and technology, culture and tourism. Promote the principles and values of good governance, human rights, democracy and rule of law, both within Africa and in its engagement with China.

Strengthen the capacity and voice of African institutions, governments, civil society and media, to effectively negotiate, monitor and evaluate the relationship with China. Foster a balanced and inclusive relationship that benefits all stakeholders, especially the ordinary people of Africa and China.

By reviewing and recalibrating its relationship with China, Africa can seize the opportunities and address the challenges that come with this strategic partnership. This will enable Africa to achieve its goals of peace, prosperity and integration, while also contributing to global peace and development.