China pledges $136m aid to Africa as Wang Yi concludes tour in Nigeria

Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi on Thursday reaffirmed China‘s commitment to Africa, pledging robust support and military aid as he concluded his diplomatic tour of the continent in Nigeria.

Wang’s visit began on January 6 and included stops in Namibia, the Republic of Congo, and Chad, before wrapping up in Nigeria’s capital, Abuja. There, he held discussions with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar.

“China will firmly support Africans in addressing African issues in the African way. African people are the real masters of this continent,” Wang declared after a meeting with Tinubu.

As part of Beijing’s initiatives, Wang announced a military aid package worth one billion yuan ($136 million) for Africa, including plans to train 6,000 troops and 1,000 police officers across the continent.

“China supports Nigeria in rallying countries in the region to achieve strength through unity, build synergy through reconciliation, and promote security through cooperation,” Wang added.

The visit to Chad’s capital, N’Djamena, came just hours before an attempted armed assault on the presidential palace that left 20 dead.

Nigeria, one of China’s key trade partners in sub-Saharan Africa, exports oil and gas to Beijing while importing manufactured goods. Trade between the nations totalled $22.6 billion in 2023, according to Nigerian officials.

China’s deepening ties with Africa come amid escalating geopolitical competition on the continent. Former colonial powers and emerging players like China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran are vying for influence, especially after a series of military coups in West Africa led many nations to sever ties with France and turn to Moscow and Beijing.

China remains Africa’s largest trade partner, with $167.8 billion in trade during the first quarter of 2024, according to Chinese state media. The country has invested heavily in African infrastructure, sending workers and engineers to build projects while securing access to vital mineral resources such as copper, gold, and lithium.

However, Chinese loans have contributed to rising debt levels in some African nations, raising concerns about economic sustainability.

At a September summit on China-Africa cooperation, President Xi Jinping pledged $50 billion in aid over three years and met with about 50 African leaders, including President Tinubu. Analysts suggest that Beijing’s generosity toward Africa is being recalibrated amidst domestic economic challenges and mounting tensions with the United States.

China’s strategic focus on Africa highlights its intent to solidify alliances and counter Western influence while addressing shared security and development goals across the continent.