The rapid expansion of Chinese presence on African soil raises serious concerns about its consequences for host countries. Although presented as a strategic and sincere partnership by certain African leaders, this asymmetrical relationship hides a much more dubious reality.
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi began the 2025 diplomatic year with a tour of Africa. He visited Namibia, the DRC, Chad and Nigeria, with a view to strengthening diplomatic and commercial ties between China and several countries on the continent. This trip demonstrates China’s strategic interest in Africa to satisfy a growing appetite for natural resources and the economic benefits that its industries feed there.
Several media and experts have in this regard analyzed the Chinese minister’s visit to Africa, showing how each step followed a logic of exploitation of local resources to serve Beijing’s interests. As China continues to establish itself deeper in Africa, criticism is emerging about the methods used, often perceived as forms of exploitation, sometimes going as far as questionable practices, or even looting.
Africa, a reservoir of resources for China
Wang Yi’s tour comes at a time when China is stepping up efforts to secure supplies of natural resources essential to its economic model. Indeed, China depends largely on African natural resources to fuel its industries, particularly in the energy and advanced technology sectors. Cobalt, lithium, copper and other minerals, present in large quantities in Africa, particularly in a country like the DRC, are vital for Chinese industries, particularly those linked to the manufacturing of batteries and electric vehicles.
China’s strategy is largely based on the exploitation of these resources in Africa, within the framework of commercial contracts and infrastructure projects, often through state companies. This model allows Beijing to control a significant share of the raw materials necessary for its industrial growth. But this incessant search for resources is not without consequences, both for the environment and for local populations.
Through this visit by Wang Yi to Namibia, Congo, Chad and Nigeria, China is strategically targeting critical minerals (lithium, uranium, oil), rare earths and energy resources, proposing massive investments in infrastructure ( railway projects, power plants, dams) as a bargaining chip for privileged access to raw materials. This economic imperialism where African countries gradually become dependent on Chinese investments, without any real long-term benefit.
Infrastructure projects primarily serve Beijing’s interests: securing trade routes, facilitating resource extraction and expanding its geopolitical influence, while keeping these states in a situation of subtle but effective economic subordination.
Exploitation of resources often criticized
Chinese investments in Africa are presented as a means of supporting the development of the continent. This was again recalled during the last China-Africa Forum, the work of which was co-chaired by Bassirou Diomaye Faye. At the end of this meeting, China once again promised to take out the checkbook again to lure weak economies largely shaken by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. Beijing announces 50 billion dollars for Africa for the next three years, including 29 billion in loans, 11 billion in aid and 10 billion in investments. That is an additional 10 billion compared to the 2021 summit. But Chinese cooperation, particularly in terms of impact, is raising growing concerns. Unscrupulous extraction practices and negligent management of natural resources are frequently reported. Reports highlight that some Chinese companies do not always respect the environmental or social standards in force in African countries, particularly those south of the Sahara. These practices include, among other things, precarious working conditions, poor respect for workers’ rights and significant environmental damage, particularly in cobalt mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In addition, trade agreements between China and certain African countries are often accused of favoring Chinese interests to the detriment of benefits for local populations. African authorities, seeking financing for their infrastructure projects, sometimes sign contracts that do not guarantee equitable management of resources. In some cases, these agreements are even seen as forms of “legal plunder” of Africa’s natural resources, without the producing countries reaping lasting benefits. The exploitation of resources often takes place in conditions where the share going to local populations is marginal, and where the economic benefits for the host countries are limited.
Concerns have also been raised about the transparency of often opaque deals that allow Chinese companies to obtain concessions in dubious ways. A study by the New Lines Institute points to the management of corruption, the weakness of local controls and the absence of reciprocity in commercial exchanges. China, although investing massively in Africa, does not hesitate to prioritize its national interests, even if it means turning a blind eye to practices that are corrupt or harmful to African countries.
Relations dominated by Chinese interests
Wang Yi’s visit also highlights another aspect of China-Africa relations: how China shapes economic partnerships according to its own interests. Indeed, China has an interest in strengthening regional value chains in Africa, but by putting in place structures that allow it to directly control access to strategic resources. This approach favors a system where economic gains are directed primarily toward Chinese companies, reinforcing China’s dominant position on the continent.
In this context, China does not just benefit from natural resources. It also ensures privileged access to key sectors of African industry, such as construction, energy and telecommunications, by imposing favorable conditions on its companies. This model is more akin to a relationship of economic dependence than to balanced cooperation.
Wang Yi’s tour in Africa thus highlights a model of cooperation which above all serves China’s economic and strategic interests. Especially since Beijing cares so little, if at all, about the fate of democracies and freedoms being abused in many African countries, even though it has the power to exert pressure on the subject. His refusal to worry about democracy is a blank check for many autocrats and a license to act with impunity, especially when we also indulge in sovereignist or even anti-Western announcements.
The exploitation of the African continent’s natural resources also raises crucial questions about the sustainability of these relationships. If promises of development and support are regularly put forward, the reality of Chinese investments in Africa reveals a logic of economic domination and exploitation of resources, sometimes to the detriment of the environment and the living conditions of local populations.
A hold on African consciences and economies
This unbridled Chinese exploitation compromises both the ecology and the economic development of African nations while the Baku COP has just ended. China now holds 20% of the total debt of African countries, or $134 billion. This growing financial dependence places African nations in a vulnerable position, limiting their ability to negotiate fair deals.
So many revelations which worry about the future stability of certain States, already facing significant security and economic challenges. Prey for several years to Russian influence, the putschist states of the Sahel ranged under the new banner of the Aes (Alliance of Sahel States), for example, are now strengthening their partnership with China whose intentions do not seem to be more laudable than those of Putin’s Russia and its Wagner militiamen.
A new form of colonialism?
At a time when on the continent the France-Dégage refrain is constantly agitated and where the sovereignist discourse without technical content is gaining momentum, activists and leaders whose discourse tends to change masters are celebrated. Fire Jean to knight Sergei or Lee.
China is infiltrating this fault line and placing its pawns while denying none of its imperialist aims. Chinese strategy has evolved from a simple minority stake to full control of major mining projects. This aggressive approach is akin to a modern form of economic colonialism, where African resources are exploited for the primary benefit of Chinese industry.
While China presents itself as a development partner, the reality on the ground tells a different story. Chinese mining in Africa, often conducted without respect for local laws or consideration for the environment and communities, poses serious questions about the sustainability and fairness of this partnership.
In addition to being detrimental to African populations and their environment, this Chinese strategy overshadows Russian interests on the continent and portends a new war for influence between the two competitors. It is crucial that African nations reassess these relationships and demand fairer deals that truly protect their long-term interests.
Birane Gaye
Expert in geopolitics
