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.  

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.  

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.

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.

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.   

Nigerian Gunmen Kidnap Chinese National

 Nigeria's The Telegraph published on 6 September 2025 an article titled "Gunmen Kill Eight NSCDC Officers, Abduct Chinese Expatriate in Edo" by Ngozika Onah. 

Nigerian gunmen on September 5 attacked Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) personnel escorting five Chinese nationals in Edo State who work at a cement factory.  The gunmen killed eight NSCDC personnel and kidnapped one Chinese national.  The other four Chinese nationals were rescued.    

Chinese Companies Face Brunt of Jihadi Attacks in Mali

 Agence France Presse published on 5 September 2025 an article titled "Chinese Firms Pay Price of Jihadist Strikes against Mali Junta."

Jihadis linked to al-Qaeda have targeted all foreign companies in Mali in an effort to force the military junta to accept sharia law.  Chinese operated gold and lithium operations have experienced the brunt of these attacks.  Jihadis have kidnapped at least 11 Chinese nationals.  

Kenya to Swap US Dollar Debt for Chinese Yuan

 The South China Morning Post published on 5 September 2025 an article titled "Kenya's Plan to Switch Debt Payments to China from US Dollars to Yuan Is a 'Win-Win'."

Kenya plans to convert its large debt to China from US dollars to Chinese yuan.  This would reduce interest payments for Kenya and advance China's goal of increasing the global use of its currency.  It could also set a precedent for other countries to seek debt reduction with China and reduce reliance on the US dollar.