Africa has become a focal point for China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with the continent emerging as the largest recipient of Chinese engagement in 2023. This strategic focus is further underscored by China’s recent agreement with Liberia. This indicates that China is actively seeking to increase its presence in West Africa, leveraging the region’s importance to global trade routes.
According to the China Belt and Road Initiative Investment Report 2023, investments in Africa grew by an impressive 114%, totaling US$21.7 billion. This surge is driven by China’s strategic investments in key infrastructure projects, particularly in the port and shipping sectors, where construction contracts in Africa increased by 47% in 2023 alone.
Chinese investments in transport infrastructure, including port facilities, accounted for 16% of global BRI engagement, reflecting China’s ambition to strengthen Africa’s role in global trade. According to the Critical Infrastructure in China’s Africa Strategy report of 2022, Chinese companies have been involved in the construction and engineering of at least 55 of the 61 African ports where China has a presence. With China Communications Construction Corporation (CCCC) being a major player, holding contracts in at least 38 ports, China’s infrastructure dominance on the continent is unparalleled.
This extensive involvement reflects a geographically comprehensive presence in Africa, with Chinese firms building, managing, or financing port projects across every region. The push for port development stems from a recognized commercial demand. Africa, with the world’s lowest share of shipping trade and its vast stores of untapped natural resources, represents a prime market for Chinese investments.
The Key African Ports Connectivity graph highlights the significance of Chinese investment in improving the performance of African ports, such as Tanger Med in Morocco, Djibouti, and Durban. Tanger Med stands out with the highest connectivity index, a reflection of its strategic importance for trade routes between Africa, Europe, and Asia. Other ports like Mombasa and Lagos are benefiting from steady improvements, although challenges persist in their full integration into global supply chains.
By integrating port projects with inland transport networks and industrial zones, Chinese companies seek to expand their influence in Africa’s logistics and trade sectors, ensuring long-term control over the facilities they help develop.
In addition to the commercial drivers, China is also mindful of the geopolitical implications of its African port investments. Kenya, for instance, is viewed as a key logistics hub for China’s strategy in the Indian Ocean, as highlighted by a prominent Chinese advisory firm. China’s ambition to rival India in the region and secure access to Africa’s mineral resources underscores the importance of ports like Mombasa in its broader maritime strategy.
Moreover, China is ensuring that many of its African port projects are built to a “dual-use specification,” allowing for both civilian and military purposes without raising concerns in the West about potential PLA Navy (PLAN) expansions.
Trade between China and Africa has surged significantly, with the China-Africa Trade graph demonstrating a 1,900% increase in trade volume since 2000, the year of the first Forum on China–Africa Cooperation. By 2023, China-Africa trade reached over US$200 billion, reinforcing China’s position as Africa’s largest trading partner. This growth has created a demand for more efficient and modernized port facilities to handle the increasing trade volumes, further justifying China’s deep investments in African shi infrastructure.
The Chinese Loan Commitments chart highlights another dimension of China’s involvement in Africa. Between 2005 and 2022, China’s loan commitments saw a sharp rise, peaking in 2016 at nearly US$30 billion, largely driven by financing for infrastructure projects. This includes significant investments in roads, railways, ports, and energy infrastructure. However, in recent years, loan commitments have seen a decline, reflecting China’s caution in its lending practices.
On the other hand, the Chinese FDI in contrast to US FDI to Africa demonstrates that since the early 2000s, China has steadily increased its foreign direct investment in Africa, with sharp spikes around 2008 and 2010. After 2016, Chinese FDI consistently surpassed that of the United States, reflecting China’s aggressive investment strategy on the continent.
In conclusion, China’s aggressive expansion in African ports is a strategy aiming to strengthen its global trade and geopolitical influence.
The combination of data and information suggests that China’s commitment to key African ports is poised to increase as the country seeks to capitalize on regional opportunities to expand the maritime dimension of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
Ports, like Nigeria’s Lagos that currently exhibit lower connectivity performance, are likely to become primary targets for Chinese investment due to their strategic importance. The relatively low performance of Lagos port provides China with an opportunity to invest and improve infrastructure more easily, aligning with its goal of expanding its influence in West Africa, particularly in the vital Gulf of Guinea region.
Overall, Chinese involvement in Africa’s port infrastructure and maritime trade sector is on the rise, as highlighted by the quantitative data. Additionally, in the context of global trade re-routing—especially in response to disruptions such as the Houthi attacks in the Red Sea—China appears to be seizing the opportunity to strengthen its presence along Africa’s trade routes, particularly via the Cape of Good Hope. It is likely that China’s next moves will focus on countries along this alternative route, further solidifying its shipping influence in Africa.
