Browsing: President Xi Jinping

military cooperation

China’s 6,000-troop training program in Africa: What’s the real agenda?

Countries
  • Beijing has undertaken to train 6,000 military personnel and invite 500 African officers to China for skilling.
  • As China strengthens its military ties in Africa, the US has faced setbacks, particularly with the recent withdrawal of American troops from Niger.
  • Analysts say China’s military push in Africa is part of a broader strategy known as the Global Security Initiative (GSI), launched in 2022.

In a rapidly shifting world, China, already the top trading partner with Africa is going further by announcing a bold $140 million military cooperation plan to train 6,000 personnel across the continent. This development, announced at the 2024 summit on China-Africa cooperation by Chinese President Xi Jinping, has raised eyebrows, particularly among US defense officials, who believe this move is aimed at furthering China’s economic and strategic interests.

But is there more to China’s growing military involvement in Africa? And how does this fit into the larger …

Chinese loans

China’s $4.6Bn loans to Africa signal strategic shift ahead of key forum

Africa
  • Africa received loans worth $4.6 billion from China last year, an increase from what economies across the continent received in 2022.
  • This amount is, however, a far cry from Beijing’s massive infrastructure financing witnessed before the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Beijing will host African leaders for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation between September 4th-6th.

A total of nine countries in Africa received Chinese loans worth $4.6 billion last year, an increase from what economies across the continent received in 2022. However, this amount is a far cry from Beijing’s massive infrastructure financing that was witnessed before the Covid-19 pandemic.

The new statistics from the Boston University Global Development Policy Centre come just days before Beijing hosts African leaders for the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, scheduled for September 4th-6th.

In 2023, lenders from China processed approximately 13 loans targeting various projects across the continent with the biggest beneficiary being players in the financial …

Felix Tshisekedi

Under Tshisekedi, DRC evolves into a new hub for investments in Africa

Industry and Trade
  • Since President Félix Tshisekedi took power in January 2019, DRC has been pitching and welcoming international and regional investors in Kinshasa. 
  • President Tshisekedi has struck mining and agriculture investment agreements with Chinese companies.
  • In July, UAE signed a $1.9 billion deal with a state mining firm in the DRC to develop four mines in eastern Congo. South Africa struck electric batteries deal with DRC in July, too.

Across the Democratic Republic of Congo—the second largest country in Africa—the weather is friendly, and the policymakers in Kinshasa have been steadily turning the tide, making DRC a hub for investments.

A stroll down the streets of Kinshasa, a city of over 13 million bustling with activity, heavy clouds are keeping the glare of the tropical sun at bay. The capital’s streets are busy and crowded. The traffic is congested and millions rub shoulders on the sidewalks. To my utter shock, in Kinshasa,…

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China strengthening its diplomacy in Africa’s health sector

Countries

China actively honours its commitment to making vaccines a global public good. At the time when Chinese vaccines had just reached the market and domestic supply was tight, China began to supply vaccines to Africa in support of its battle against the pandemic.
By November 2021, China had provided over 1.7 billion doses of Covid-19 vaccine to more than 110 countries and organizations, including 50 African countries and the AU Commission, and is striving to provide an aggregate total of two billion doses by the end of 2021.
In addition, it donated US$100 million to COVAX, which aims at ensuring all countries have access to a safe, effective vaccine.…