Opinion
Growing concern in the United States about China’s growing influence in Africa
The United States is clearly worried about China’s rising economic and political influence in Africa.
As recent comments by a State Department official and independent analysts show, the concern stems partly from threats to US corporations’ market share in Africa and partly from reduced American leverage over the policies and behaviour of African governments.
China dramatically increased its trade with Africa during the past decade, pushing the US into second place among Africa’s trading partners. In 2000, China’s exports to and imports from Africa were valued at US$10 billion. By 2010, the amount had soared to US$127 billion as China achieved an unprecedented rate of economic growth.
Much of that trade volume takes the form of imports of oil and minerals from African countries to feed China’s ravenous appetite for resources. But China also sells billions of dollars’ worth of manufactured goods to Africa, including weapons.
China also invests heavily in infrastructure projects in Africa — often as part of deals to acquire access to raw materials.
For example, China is currently building a 1,250-Megawatt dam in Sudan that will rank as the largest hydropower project on the continent. Chinese companies are also extending and modernizing roads in many African countries, including Kenya.
