Should Africa be wary of China?

For a long time, the U.S has perched unassailably on the top of global leadership and economic power. However, that has come under a serious challenge with countries like China. The meteoric rise of China has ensured the quick spread of its influence across the globe. Again, it has proved convincingly that there’s more to […]

For a long time, the U.S has perched unassailably on the top of global leadership and economic power. However, that has come under a serious challenge with countries like China.

The meteoric rise of China has ensured the quick spread of its influence across the globe.

Again, it has proved convincingly that there’s more to becoming a developed nation than flaunting democratic credentials. The world has seen how applying a home-grown development paradigm with discipline and hard work can deliver the development goods.

Since it opened its doors to the world, there has been no let-up in the speed of its progress. The developing countries of Asia, Africa and Latin-America found a partner in China – an alternative to the western financial institutions which have been taken to task for many of its too-bitter-to-swallow prescriptions.

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is reminiscent of the European conquest of Africa and the ostensible rationale behind the infrastructure that were constructed – which was to facilitate the onward movement of requisite raw materials to their factories at home.

No doubt, China has filled an important space in Africa left by other powers. It has effectively established a foothold in the continent. It remains unrivalled with no qualms in dealing with corrupt leadership and atrocious human right records. China must work towards changing the bad optics some of its actions and behaviours are creating in making its many ‘partners’ uncomfortable.

Africans are concerned about corruption in its leadership base and the accompanying weakness in challenging the impunity of some of the Chinese corporations. Africa needs to start interrogating its engagement with China which is by no means altruistic in getting a fair deal while building capacity in meeting its development needs.

Abachi Ungbo can be reached [email protected]