China has pledged to enhance its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) with “high-quality cooperation” as a summit with African leaders begins in Beijing.
Africa is a significant BRI region, with Chinese companies signing over $700 billion in contracts from 2013 to 2023.
Despite these investments, critics argue that the BRI burdens countries with heavy debt and funds environmentally harmful projects.
Among the major BRI projects in Africa is Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway, the country’s most expensive infrastructure project at $5 billion.
However, the railway’s second phase was abandoned due to financial struggles. Allegations of corruption and environmental concerns also plague the project.
Kenya, now owing China over $8 billion, has sought additional loans and debt restructuring from Beijing.
In Djibouti, China established its first overseas naval base in 2016, along with developing the nearby Doraleh port.
The base has raised concerns over espionage, while the port’s partial ownership by China Merchants Port Holdings has sparked controversy.
Chinese investment has also been pivotal in building Africa’s longest suspension bridge in Mozambique and shifting towards mining essential minerals for China’s tech industries.
However, regional conflicts and environmental issues continue to challenge these projects.
