Chinese President Xi Jinping’s vision of justice emphasizes equality in global governance, multilateralism, and people-centered development. This vision aims particularly to address historical injustices for Global South countries and provides a concrete framework for relations with the African continent. Xi’s Global Governance Initiative (GGI), proposed in 2025, advocates for sovereign equality and an order based on international law, defending Africa’s right to development.[i] [ii]
China-Africa relations reached their peak at the 2024 FOCAC Summit, where Xi emphasized a shared path of modernization with Africa. By 2025, China had diversified its investments in Africa and achieved record participation under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).[iii]
The Historical Context of China-Africa Relations
China-Africa relations are based on anti-colonial solidarity in the mid-20th century. During the Cold War, China supported African liberation movements and made tangible contributions through projects such as the TAZARA Railway.[iv] Within the Xi period, relations have evolved into a strategic partnership based on the principle of ‘sincerity, tangible results, friendship, and goodwill.’ As of 2025, China-Africa trade volume has reached a record level, and China continues to be Africa’s largest trading partner.[v]
The FOCAC mechanism has institutionalized cooperation from infrastructure to cultural exchange. Xi’s emphasis on a ‘community with a shared future’ suggests a path of modernization compatible with the African Union’s Agenda 2063. According to realist international relations theory, China seeks resource security and geopolitical influence. Liberal theory, on the other hand, emphasizes economic interdependence and argues that BRI produces win-win outcomes. Dependency theorists note that the unequal trade of raw material exports and finished goods imports perpetuates inequality. The 2025 AidData study highlights that African leaders appreciate infrastructure projects, but concerns about debt arise, emphasizing contributions to local economies and unemployment figures.
Belt and Road Initiative in Africa: Key Projects and Developments
The BRI was launched in 2013 and, as of 2025, covers more than 150 countries. In Africa, the focus is on addressing the infrastructure gap and aligns with Agenda 2063. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway has increased exports by reducing transport time. The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) in Kenya has created trade and employment. In the first half of 2025, BRI investments broke records, focusing on Africa and Central Asia. Green energy projects stand out with solar and wind investments. Industrial parks encourage manufacturing through models like the Eastern Industrial Zone in Ethiopia. The Digital Silk Road, in collaboration with Huawei, has established 5G networks in over 30 countries. In terms of international relations, the BRI strengthens China’s image as a soft power tool. South-South cooperation offers an alternative to Bretton Woods institutions. Developments in 2025 indicate a shift toward sustainable and green projects.[vi]
BRI is making significant contributions to economic growth, job creation, and regional integration in Africa. In the first five months of 2025, China-Africa trade volume reached $134.16 billion, an annual increase of 12.4%, which positively impacts the continent’s economies. China’s exports to Africa rose 20.2% to $83.51 billion, while imports from Africa increased 1.6% to $50.65 billion. Despite this imbalance, the overall trade volume is at a record level.[vii]
Infrastructure projects in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) significantly boost intra-continental trade; according to UNECA estimates, intra-continental freight demand under the AfCFTA will increase by 28% by 2030, and BRI’s investments in roads, railways, and ports will support this growth. For example, following the completion of the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway in Ethiopia, the country’s economy achieved an average annual growth of 8-10%, and this project has increased trade volume by shortening export times.
In line with Xi’s commitments at the 2024 FOCAC Summit, China aims to create at least 1 million jobs in Africa; this will be achieved through industrial parks, infrastructure projects, and green energy investments. Under the BRI framework, Chinese companies have created hundreds of thousands of jobs in Africa; for example, the Kenya SGR project provided 74,000 jobs during construction and operation phases and trained 2,800 local experts. Overall, Chinese companies employ 89% of local labor in African projects, creating a total of around 300,000 jobs.[viii]
Mineral-rich countries are benefiting greatly from Chinese imports; in 2025, trade in critical minerals (cobalt, lithium, copper) reached record levels, and China’s mineral imports from Africa are growing despite the decline in commodity prices. Chinese companies have strengthened their supply chains by acquiring assets such as Botswana’s Khoemacau copper mine (2023), Mali’s Goulamina lithium mine (2024), and Tanzania’s Ngualla rare earth mine (2025). These investments promote local employment and infrastructure development in the mining sector.
Liberal international relations theory emphasizes that this interdependence reduces conflict and produces win-win outcomes; China’s investments support Africa’s industrialization and help it move up the value chains. African leaders see China as a partner that puts the continent at the global table; for example, the cooperation highlighted at FOCAC 2024 strengthens regional value chains when integrated with the AfCFTA.
However, in the first half of 2025, more than 30 clean energy projects were committed to Africa under the BRI, with solar and wind energy investments making up 59% of the total energy projects. Between 2010 and 2024, China invested 66 billion dollars in Africa’s energy sector and increased the share of renewable energy. People-to-people exchanges also strengthen long-term ties. China’s scholarship programs and cultural initiatives provide educational opportunities to thousands of Africans, with 60,000 new scholarships committed under the FOCAC framework.[ix]
In 2025, the BRI’s total engagement in Africa exceeded $39 billion, supporting industrialization, digital transformation, and sustainable development. In conclusion, the BRI impacts based on concrete data continue to drive growth in Africa, with an increase in trade volume, job creation, and green investments driving a transformation that aligns with the continent’s AfCFTA goals.
[i] “Africa, globe benefit from Xi Jinping’s fairness vision”, Daily News, https://dailynews.co.tz/africa-globe-benefit-from-xi-jinpings-fairness-vision/, (Access Date: 26.12.2025).
[ii] “Forum on China-Africa Cooperation Beijing Action Plan (2025-2027)”, MFA China, https://www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202409/t20240905_11485719.html, (Access Date: 26.12.2025).
[iii] “Xi Jinping Attends the Opening Ceremony of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation and Delivers a Keynote Address”, MFA China, https://www.fmprc.gov.cn/eng/xw/zyxw/202409/t20240906_11486351.html, (Erişim Tarihi: 26.12.2025).
[iv] “China’s Massive Belt and Road Initiative”, CFR, https://www.cfr.org/backgrounder/chinas-massive-belt-and-road-initiative, (Access Date: 26.12.2025).
[v] “China’s trade with Africa hits new high in Jan-May”, SCIO, http://english.scio.gov.cn/pressroom/2025-06/09/content_117917731.html,(Access Date: 26.12.2025).
[vi] “China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) investment report 2025 H1”, Green FDC, https://greenfdc.org/, (Erişim Tarihi: 26.12.2025).
[vii] “China-Africa Trade Hits $134.16bn, Up 12.4 % in First Five Months of 2025”, Ecofin Agency, https://www.ecofinagency.com/news/2406-47402-china-africa-trade-hits-134-16bn-up-12-4-in-first-five-months-of-2025, (Access Date: 26.12.2025).
[viii] “Do Belt and Road projects provide local benefits?, Low Institute, https://www.lowyinstitute.org/the-interpreter/do-belt-road-projects-provide-local-benefits, (Access Date: 26.12.2025).
[ix] “Africa at the Heart of the Belt and Road: A $39 Billion Catalyst for Transformation”, The Habari Network, https://www.thehabarinetwork.com/africa-at-the-heart-of-the-belt-and-road-a-39-billion-catalyst-for-transformation, (Access Date: 26.12.2025).