China’s top diplomat begins Africa tour to bolster ties

China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi started his six-day tour of Africa on Monday with a visit to Namibia, marking the beginning of an annual diplomatic outreach to the continent, according to AFP.

During his visit, Wang is scheduled to travel to four nations: Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Chad, and Nigeria.

“The selection of countries for these visits often lacks a clear external pattern,” Eric Olander, co-founder of the China-Global South Project, told  Reuters. “(However,) these trips serve as a powerful reminder of China’s steady commitment to Africa, contrasting with the approaches taken by the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union.”

While Western powers like the U.S. and EU remain focused on conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, China has been strengthening its engagement with Africa.

In 2023, Beijing pledged $4.6 billion in investments across the continent according to Reuters. That’s a significant increase from years prior. The global pandemic put a chill on funding. These investments target Africa’s abundant mineral resources, crucial for producing electric vehicles, as well as opportunities to expand the export market for solar panels and other advanced technologies.

Analysts also point to China’s growing involvement in regional security matters. Wang’s visit to Chad reflects this strategic interest, particularly as Beijing solidifies ties with the military juntas now governing the Sahel and West Africa.

“China has proven to be a dependable and stable partner for these new regimes,” Olander noted.

China’s growing influence in the Sahel coincides with France’s withdrawal from the region—a retreat long sought by many former French colonies seeking greater autonomy from their former colonial power.