China's Belt and Road Initiative in Africa Changing Direction

 The Monk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy published on 4 July 2023 a commentary titled "From a 'Project of the Century' to 'Small Is Beautiful': The Changing Face of the BRI in Africa" by Abdou Rahim Lema, University of Montreal.

The author argues that funding for China's Belt and Road Initiative projects in Africa has fallen significantly since 2016.  This does not mean the BRI is dead but rather is shifting to smaller and less costly projects.  China is also focusing on digital and green infrastructure rather than large-scale transportation projects.  

Impact on China of Zambian Debt Deal

 The Rhodium Group published on 29 June 2023 an analysis titled "China's External Debt Renegotiations after Zambia" by Matthew Mingey and Logan Wright. 

China appears to be changing its approach in providing debt relief to emerging markets following the recent deal on restructuring bilateral loans to Zambia.  However, the Zambia deal reveals that China's Export Import Bank may still not be speaking for all of China's lenders.  Beijing's banks remain insistent on extending loan terms and adjusting financing costs rather than accepting haircuts on principal.  Beijing's tactics may change further as financial stress in emerging markets builds.   

Chinese Companies Help Zimbabwe Set Up Surveillance State

 Global Voices, a mostly volunteer community of international activists, posted on 10 January 2023 a commentary titled "How Zimbabwe Is Building a Big Brother Surveillance State."

A surveillance system set up with the help of Chinese companies such as Huawei and Hikvision and a loan from the China Export-Import Bank allows the leaders of Zimbabwe to keep a tight grip on political power.  

Angola: Falling Oil Prices Could Lead to Debt Default

CL Brief, a business consultancy based in Macau, posted on 16 March 2020 an article titled "Analysis: Angolan Economy Set for Covid-19 Blow."

The sharp drop in oil prices caused by economic slowdowns following the outbreak of Covid-19 has sharply impacted Angola, which relies on oil exports, mainly to China. Angola has borrowed $21.4 billion from the China Development Bank and China Exim Bank, which it repays by sending oil to China at market price. If oil remains at $33 a barrel, Angola could face a default on its debt.

Chinese Lending to Africa for Military and Security Purposes

The China Africa Research Initiative posted on 9 April 2019 a blog titled "Chinese Lending to Africa for Military and Domestic Security Purposes" by Jordan Link.

Between 2003 and 2017, China loaned $2.53 billion to 8 African countries for military and national defense purposes. It loaned an additional $1.36 billion for African policing and law and order and $67 million for dual use purposes, totaling $4.56 billion.

Financing Infrastructure in Africa: China and the US

The Baker McKenzie law firm posted on 3 December 2018 a report titled "A Changing World: New Trends in Emerging Market Infrastructure Finance."

The report contains a section on sub-Saharan Africa. The top five policy lenders for infrastructure projects from 2008 to 2017 were China Exim Bank, International Finance Corporation, China Development Bank, KfW (German government-owned development bank), and the African Development Bank.