China’s Investment is Africa’s Compromised Sovereignty

China’s commitments to Africa during recent FOCAC summit come with expectations for African nations to align with China’s political positions, raising concerns about Africa’s sovereignty and long-term dependency.

Ellington Ngandu | Oped Column Syndication

The recent Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit underscored the growing complexity and impact of what is being termed a “new type of international relations,” particularly as China’s influence in Africa continues to expand. The outcomes of the FOCAC summit reveal a significant increase in China’s financial and infrastructural commitments to the continent, showcasing an ambitious agenda aimed at cementing its strategic and economic presence in Africa.

With $40 billion allocated for funding, a substantial portion of which will be directed through African financial institutions and investments from the Chinese private sector, China is making a clear statement about its intentions. This includes not only significant infrastructural projects—such as ten major connectivity initiatives—but also the provision of 1 billion doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with 400 million of these to be manufactured locally.

Additionally, there are training programs set to benefit 10,000 African professionals. The scale of these commitments is indeed unmatched, reflecting a level of engagement that is both dynamic and multifaceted.

However, these extensive promises and investments come with implicit expectations.

The Dakar Action Plan (2022-24) illustrates the reciprocal nature of this relationship. African countries, in exchange for China’s considerable support, are expected to align with a “Chinese world view.” This alignment involves a range of political and diplomatic support, including endorsing China’s handling of global COVID-19 origins research, supporting Beijing’s hosting of the 2022 Winter Olympics amid a US-led diplomatic boycott, and jointly opposing the politicization of human rights issues. The latter point has recently been demonstrated by China’s Foreign Minister expressing support for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, opposing Western sanctions under the guise of interference in domestic affairs.

This new alignment raises several critical concerns.

First, while China’s support is substantial and its engagement appears to prioritize African needs, the underlying expectations pose risks to African sovereignty and policy autonomy. The implicit requirement for African countries to support China’s political positions and to adopt a stance that aligns with Chinese interests in global forums could limit their ability to engage independently in international diplomacy. This dynamic could potentially pressure African nations to overlook their own human rights issues or other internal concerns in favor of maintaining favorable relations with Beijing.

Furthermore, the scale and breadth of China’s investments, while impressive, also bring into focus issues of dependency and influence. The sheer volume of financial and infrastructural support raises questions about the long-term sustainability of this relationship.

African countries could find themselves in a position of increased economic reliance on China, which might translate into greater political and diplomatic obligations. This dependency could affect their ability to negotiate with other international actors or to assert their own policy preferences without considering the impact on their relationship with China.

Additionally, the strategic nature of these investments—targeted at key sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, and professional training—suggests a calculated approach to fostering long-term influence.

While these investments are undoubtedly beneficial in the short term, the associated expectations might restrict the capacity of African nations to pursue a balanced and independent foreign policy. The alignment with China’s positions on global issues might also influence domestic policies and governance, potentially shaping political landscapes in ways that favor Chinese interests.

In conclusion, while China’s expansive engagement in Africa through the FOCAC summit promises significant advancements in funding, infrastructure, and public health, it is essential to critically evaluate the broader implications of this relationship. The reciprocal nature of the support, which involves aligning with China’s political positions and supporting its global initiatives, highlights the complex interplay between economic aid and geopolitical influence. As Africa navigates this intricate partnership, it must balance the benefits of Chinese support with the imperative to maintain policy autonomy and safeguard its own interests in the global arena. The challenge will be to harness the opportunities provided by this engagement while ensuring that it does not come at the expense of political independence and sovereignty.

Ellington Ngandu regularly works to analyze the current affairs across the world, especially the economic and political developments across Afro-Eurasia. He is a member of Global Affairs Writers’ Association.