China’s increasing investments in key sectors such as energy and infrastructure in Sub-Saharan Africa are noteworthy. In this context, Africa has an important place in China’s Belt and Road Initiative. For instance, China is positioning itself as a major player in Zimbabwe’s industrial landscape. A notable example is the US$3.6 billion investment in the Palm River Energy Metallurgical Industrial Park, which will become a hub for energy, steel and mineral processing in the region. This mega project is not only a response to Zimbabwe’s vast natural resources such as coal, iron ore, and chrome, but also an effort to establish a critical strategic position in Africa’s industrialization.
The project, supported by one of China’s largest companies, plans to build the park in five phases over 12 years. The park will cover 5,163 hectares (12,758 acres). The investment signals China’s ambition to make Zimbabwe a leading steel and chrome producer in the Southern African region. China’s investment in Zimbabwe is part of a broader strategy to make Africa a global manufacturing hub. The industrial park in Zimbabwe and similar projects across the continent show how China effectively uses Africa’s resources for its people.[i]
The Republic of South Africa also developing relations with China. The South African Government has expressed its desire to deepen cooperation with China in various sectors. South Africa aims to strengthen its ties with China in the industrial and energy sectors by 2025. This partnership is seen as crucial to addressing South Africa’s economic challenges. China’s experience in organizing major international events such as the G20 is seen as particularly valuable for South Africa, which is preparing to host the G20 Summit in 2025. This cooperation is emerging not only as an economic partnership but additionally as a diplomatic alliance for South Africa.
South Africa and China are also expected to cooperate on critical issues such as climate change, renewable energy, and combating electricity shortages. The African Union’s Agenda 2063, which focuses on regional development, aims to benefit from China’s support for infrastructure development, particularly under the Belt and Road Initiative. Chinese investment is also expected to increase in areas such as green energy and climate resilience, which are priorities for South Africa and the African continent as a whole.[ii]
China’s influence in Africa is not limited to Zimbabwe and South Africa. The entire continent is seeing increasing Chinese investment, particularly in the energy sector. Africa is actively pitching to Chinese investors to strengthen its energy infrastructure by 2025. The African Energy Chamber in South Africa hosted a forum in Shanghai to discuss the continent’s energy sector and highlight investment opportunities, focusing on oil and gas, mining, and renewable energy projects. The forum highlighted the growing importance of Chinese companies in Africa’s energy landscape.[iii]
Companies such as the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) and China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) have made major investments in oil and gas projects in East Africa. Notable projects include the East African Crude Oil Pipeline, developed in collaboration with France’s TotalEnergies, as well as the Coral South Floating Liquefied Natural Gas development in Mozambique. These projects are working cooperatively to promote Africa’s economic development while securing energy resources to support China’s industrial growth. China’s investments in Africa, particularly in the energy sector, are not just about resource extraction, but also part of a broader geopolitical strategy. China’s involvement in Africa also provides access to key resources that are vital to strengthening its global influence, increasing energy security, and its economic growth. By developing close economic ties with African countries, China is also positioning itself as a counterweight to Western influence on the continent.
Prospectively, China-Africa relations are expected to deepen further. Continued infrastructure investment, as well as the potential for expanded cooperation in the energy sector, are likely to dominate the agenda. Economic and geopolitical ties between African countries and China are expected to spur industrial growth and improve energy access. The influence of Chinese capital, technology, and expertise is likely to transform Africa’s economic landscape in the coming years. This growing relationship is one that holds significant mutual benefits, as well as the potential for deeper geopolitical changes that could reshape Africa’s place in the global order.
Emin Mirbatur SEVAL
[i] “Is China’s growing Zimbabwe alliance key to its bigger plans for southern Africa?”, SCMP, https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3300583/chinas-growing-zimbabwe-alliance-key-its-bigger-plans-southern-africa, (Access date: 28.02.2025).
[ii] “South Africa eyes stronger relations with China in 2025”, China Daily, https://global.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202502/05/WS67a2be17a310a2ab06eaa282.html, (Access date: 28.02.2025).
[iii] “Africa eyes investments in energy sector”, China Daily, https://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/202502/21/WS67b7dd3ca310c240449d67e7.html, (Access date: 28.02.2025).