by Fiifi Nii Nettey Nettey
Member of Ghana Journalists Association, Freelancer, Ghana
China’s bilateral ties with Africa have evolved significantly over the last few decades, encompassing a wide range of sectors including infrastructure, trade, investment, healthcare, and education. The African continent has greatly benefited from this partnership.
However, trade between China and Africa has grown rapidly. In 2000, the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) was established, providing a platform for collective dialogue and cooperation. By 2019, China-Africa trade had surpassed $200 billion, making China Africa’s largest trading partner. China imports oil, minerals, and agricultural products from Africa while exporting machinery, electronics, technologies, and textiles.
China’s investments in Africa are significant, particularly in infrastructure. Chinese firms have constructed roads, railways, ports, and airports across the continent, facilitating economic development and regional integration. Notable projects include the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway in Kenya and the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway. The Bui Dam in Ghana, Railway lines, the Atuabo Gas Project, and many more. These projects have not only enhanced Africa’s infrastructure but also created jobs and transferred skills to local workers.
China has also made significant contributions to Africa’s healthcare sector. During the Ebola outbreak in West Africa (2014–2016), China provided medical personnel, supplies, and funding to help combat the epidemic. More recently, China played a pivotal role in supplying COVID-19 vaccines to African countries through donations and sales, demonstrating its commitment to public health on the continent.
In the area of education, China has offered scholarships to African students to study at Chinese universities. Confucius Institutes have been established in various African countries to promote Chinese language and culture, foster people-to-people ties, and enhance mutual understanding.
Furthermore, vocational training programs funded by China help equip Africans with skills needed in various sectors, particularly those where Chinese companies operate. The prospects for future China and Africa developments look brighter. China’s projects in Africa are a testament to the deepening bilateral ties between the two continents. These projects have brought significant benefits, particularly in infrastructure development, energy, healthcare, and education. Its bilateral cooperation with Africa is multifaceted and continues to evolve. It has brought lots of economic benefits to the continent, contributing to infrastructure development, trade, and investment.
*The views and opinions expressed in the articles are solely those of the individual authors and do not reflect the position of the Secretariat of the Belt and Road Journalist Network.