China-Africa Trade Favors China

 The Institute for Security Studies in Pretoria published on 2 September 2025 an analysis titled "Africa-China Trade: Openness Without Industry" by Marvellous Ngundu.  

China has been the major contributor to Africa's trade imbalance for the past decade, and the situation could worsen as China seeks to sell goods previously destined for the United States to other markets.  In 2024, a quarter of Africa's imports came from China while less than a fifth of Africa's exports went to China.  Angola, South Africa, and the DRC accounted for more than half of Africa's exports to China, comprising mostly oil, cobalt, copper, ore, slag, and ashes.  By contrast, Africa has had a consistent trade surplus with the United States.  

China Finances Huge Moroccan Battery Factory

 Msn.com posted on 16 September 2025 an article titled "Morocco Emerges as Africa's First Host of a Battery Gigafactory in $5.6 Billion China-backed Deal."

China is financing a facility in Morocco for producing essential components for electric vehicle batteries.  About 85 percent of the batteries will be exported to the European Union.  

Quad Calls for Sudan Cease Fire and Cites Harm of External Military Aid

 The U.S. State Department posted on 12 September 2025 a "Joint Statement on Restoring Peace and Security in Sudan."

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States called on all disputing parties in Sudan to accept a humanitarian three-month truce followed immediately by a permanent cease fire.  They added that an end to external military support is essential to ending the conflict.

Mali Receives Chinese Multiple Rocket Launcher

 Global Defense News published on 9 September 2025 an article titled "China Delivers First SR-5 Multiple Rocket Launcher to Mali to Reinforce Military Influence in Africa."

Mali has received at least one Norinco SR-5 modular self-propelled rocket launcher from China. In Africa, Mali joins Algeria and Burkina Faso as possessing the SR-5.  Between 2019 and 2023, at least 21 countries in sub-Saharan Africa received substantial shipments of Chinese weapons.

Chinese Surveillance Systems in Africa

 Instituto Analisi Relazioni Internazionali published on 9 September 2025 an article titled "Chinese Surveillance Systems in Africa: A SWOT Analysis" by Daniele Balducci.

Some 22 African countries have contracted with Chinese companies for the acquisition of digital surveillance technologies.  African countries have a variety of reasons for turning to Chinese companies, including affordable prices and wanting to diversify their sourcing.  The article identifies strengths and weaknesses of partnering with Chinese companies.  

China Propagates Its Global Governance Initiative Across Africa

 The China-Global South Project posted on 15 September 2025 a commentary titled "China Launches Coordinated Media Campaign to Promote New Global Governance Initiative in Africa" by Eric Olander.

Chinese state media and surrogates have launched a media campaign in Africa to promote China's Global Governance Initiative (GGI) across the continent.  The goal is to propagandize the GGI to the widest possible African audience.  

China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has posted a "Concept Paper on the Global Governance Initiative."

Comment:  The GGI is part of China's effort to seize leadership, especially in the Global South, from the West of the basic guiding principles of governance.  

China-Africa Space Cooperation

 China-Africa Security Radar posted on 15 September 2025 an article titled "China in Africa's Space Age."

African countries are looking for practical applications of space technology.  China is increasingly meeting African needs but comes with two concerns: unsustainable debt and control over information.  

China Not Likely to Mediate Nile Waters Dispute

 The South China Morning Post published on 14 September 2025 an article titled "Will China Step in as Egypt and Ethiopia Spar Over Beijing-backed Nile Mega Dam?" by Jevans Nyabiage.  

China has close relations with Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan.  Beijing played an important role in financing some aspects of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam infrastructure.  Egypt, a downstream user of Nile water, continues to be displeased with Ethiopia, an upstream user.  It is not likely, however, that China will engage in an effort to mediate Nile water differences between Ethiopia and Egypt.   

China-Africa Higher Education Collaboration

 University World News published on 7 August 2025 an article titled "More Oxygen for Africa-China Higher Education Collaboration" by Clemence Manyukwe.

This is a useful summary of China-Africa higher education collaboration.  About 81,000 African students have studied in Chinese universities over the past two decades and current enrollment exceeds 50,000 students.  Chinese universities have established formal partnerships with over 350 African universities in 54 countries.  There are 61 Confucius Institutes and 48 Confucius Classrooms across Africa.  

China. Africa, and the Environment

 Global Voices posted on 7 September 2025 a commentary titled "How Is Africa Benefiting from China's Global Renewable Push?" by Jean Sovon and Vivian Wu.

China positions itself as a champion for renewable energy in Africa while financing large projects that exploit coal and oil.  The authors ask how African countries can reconcile a partnership aimed at implementing the principles of environmental justice.  

China's Vocational Training Program in Africa

 Capital Ethiopia published on 19 August 2025 an article titled "China-Africa Partnership Strengthens Vocational Training to Boost Africa's Workforce" by Eyasu Aklilu.   

China has established 17 Luban workshops (vocational training centers) in 15 African countries with plans to establish 10 more.  China hosted last month a seminar in Ethiopia highlighting the Luban workshop program.  

China and US Space Competition: A Place for Africa?

 Msn.com posted on 12 September 2025 an article titled "Africa Could Become the New Frontier for Space Programs" by Justin Klawans.

China is actively engaging with African countries on cooperation in outer space.  The United States has been less engaged.  This is an opportunity for the Trump administration to become more active in an area of potential mutual benefit.  

Western Tigray and the Future of Ethiopia's Ethnic Federalism

 Ethiopia Insight published on 12 September 2025 a commentary titled "Ethiopia's Federal Future Tested in Western Tigray" by Batseba Seifu, co-founder of GEMTigray.  

Western Tigray has become the fault line that will decide whether Ethiopia holds together as a federal state, or fractures following the divisions left by the war between Tigray Region and the central government.  This commentary focuses on history, cartography, and demography related to the issue of Western Tigray.   

South Sudan Nearing the Cliff's Edge

 The International Crisis Group reposted on 5 September 2025 a commentary titled "South Sudan's Day of Reckoning Is Nigh" by Daniel Akech.

President Salva Kiir has taken steps to consolidate his power, including setting up Benjamin Bol Mel as his eventual successor.  The result is growing political instability.  The author called on the leaders of key African governments to urge restraint and push for a broad political forum to discuss the future of South Sudan.  

Long-Range Drones Used in Sudan

 Reuters published on 12 September 2025 an article titled "Long-range 'Kamikaze' Drones Seen Near RSF Base Could Worsen Conflict in Sudan" by Nafisa Eltahir.

Satellite imagery shows 13 long-range suicide drones and landing gear in Nyala, Sudan, which is controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.  These weapons, which have a range of 1,200 miles, were not thought to be in use in Sudan.  Companies in Russia, Iran, and China manufacture these large drones.  China said it had no knowledge of the drones.  

China Reshapes Africa's Media Landscape

 The blog for the SOAS China Institute at the University of London published on 30 July 2025 a commentary titled "How China Is Reshaping Africa's Information and Media Landscape" by Daouda Cisse, Gaston Berger University in Senegal.  

Chinese state media outlets like CGTN, Xinhua, and China Daily are now common features in African media spaces.  Beijing is helping to reshape Africa's media and governance landscape.  The issue becomes how African governments can benefit without compromising press freedom, data privacy, or democratic values.

China, Kenya, and the "Debt Express"

 The Telegraph published on 3 September 2025 an article titled "All Aboard 'The Debt Express': China's Pincer Movement on Africa" by Ben Marlow.

Kenya's largest ever infrastructure project is the Standard Gauge Railway financed by a loan from China and built by a Chinese company.  It begins in the Indian Ocean port of Mombasa, passes through the capital of Nairobi, and ends in a corn field deep in Kenya's Rift Valley.  The intention was to complete the line to Uganda's capital of Kampala.  Excessive Kenyan debt has prevented extension of the project to the Kenya/Uganda border.   

Scenarios for China-Africa Trade During Tariff War

 Nanyang Technological University posted on 5 September 2025 an analysis titled "China-Africa Trade Scenarios Amid Global Tariff War" by Rafiq Raji.

The author identifies 4 China-Africa trade scenarios emerging from the global tariff war.  (1) China continues to sell Africa manufactured goods and buy raw materials, resulting in growing African trade deficits.  (2)  China has excess manufacturing capacity and uses Africa as a dumping ground for Chinese goods. (3)  African countries exchange higher Chinese investment in mineral extraction for more value-added manufacturing capacity. (4)  Chinese firms invest in the production of manufactured goods from extracted raw materials both in Africa as well as upstream processing that plugs into global value chains.

Sudan Conflict Impacts Stability in Chad

 The International Crisis Group published on 1 September 2025 an analysis titled "Keeping Chad Stable as Sudan's Conflict Rages."

Chadian support for the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces in neighboring Sudan's war with the Sudan Armed Forces has embroiled Ndjamena in the conflict.  Chad also hosts about 875,000 Sudanese refugees and 300,000 Chadian returnees, creating a humanitarian crisis.  The end of US aid, increasing crime, and ethnic conflict are exacerbating the situation.  The UAE is playing an outsized role in Sudan and Chad.

For a French translation, click here.  

China's Exports to Africa Surge While They Decline to US

 The New York Times published on 8 September 2025 an article titled "China's Exports to Africa Are Soaring as Trade to U.S. Plunges" by Daisuke Wakabayashi and Musinguzi Blanshe.  

China has gained a $60 billion trade surplus with Africa through August of this year.  It has exported $141 billion of goods and services to Africa as of the end of August and imported $81 billion from Africa.  China's exports to the United States have plunged 33 percent while those to Africa increased 26 percent.  As the US dismantles its foreign aid program and pulls back from Africa, China is presenting itself as an economic counterbalance.  

Comment:  The downside for Africa, however, is a long standing and increasing trade deficit with China, which even the elimination of Chinese tariffs cannot seem to reverse.  

China's Rosewood Imports from Africa Harm Environment

 Foreign Policy published on 9 September 2025 an article titled "China's Appetite for Rosewood Is Causing Chaos in Africa" by Caroline Costello and Joshua Eisenman.  

China imported an estimated $2 billion of rosewood from Africa between 2017 and 2022.  Much of the logging for this rare timber is illegal.  Extreme drought and flooding linked to the loss of rosewood trees have had devastating agricultural impacts.

The Pros and Cons of Diplomatic Recognition of Somaliland

 Newsweek posted on 9 September 2025 an article titled "This Aspiring Nation Wants to Be Trump's New Weapon Against China in Africa" by Tom O'Connor.  

The author examines the arguments for and against recognition of the breakaway Somaliland government, which now hosts almost a dozen liaison offices but has not been officially recognized by any country.  One theme in the argument favoring US recognition of Somaliland is that it would provide an ally for Washington in its competition with Beijing in Africa.   

Commercial Ship Apparently Responsible for Red Sea Cable Cutting

 The Associated Press published on 8 September 2025 an article titled "Commercial Shipping Likely Cut Red Sea Cables that Disrupted Internet Access, Experts Say" by Jon Gambrell.

A commercial ship dragging an anchor likely cut the four undersea cables in the Red Sea that disrupted internet access in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East.

Video of Grand Renaissance Ethiopian Dam Inauguration

 Aljazeera published on 9 September 2025 an article and two and one-half minute video titled "Ethiopia Inaugurates GERD Dam Amid Downstream Tensions with Egypt, Sudan."

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed inaugurated the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam on 9 September in the presence of the leaders of Kenya and Somalia.  Leaders of Egypt and Sudan continued to express their fears that the dam will threaten their country's water security.  

Inauguration of Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam

 IntelliNews published on 7 September 2025 an article titled "Ethiopia Set to Inaugurate $4bn Mega-Dam as Egypt, Sudan Renew Strong Objections" by Brian Kenety.

Ethiopia is inaugurating on 9 September the $4 billion Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam, the largest hydro dam in Africa.  Downstream Sudan and Egypt continue to oppose construction of the dam, arguing it undermines their historic rights to Nile water flows guaranteed under colonial-era treaties to which Ethiopia was not a party.