China in Africa: investment and trade work well when there’s strong oversight, and badly when there isn’t

Strong institutions ensure that foreign investment supports sustainable growth rather than environmental decay.

By: Vincent Tawiah, Dublin City University, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: March 11, 2026

Words: 1,064

Last Updated: 4 months, 3 weeks ago

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By Vincent Tawiah, Dublin City University

China’s economic footprint in Africa has grown fast over the last two decades. Across the continent, Chinese-backed mines, oilfields, railways and industrial zones have gone from being ambitious projects to central pillars of national development plans.

This has been made possible by over US$181 billion in infrastructure loans and about US$50 billion in foreign direct investment.

The China-Africa relationship is often portrayed as one of two …

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