China Takes Advantage of Declining US Ties with Africa

 South Africa's The Mail & Guardian published on 11 March 2026 an article titled "China Announces Major Push to Strengthen Its Partnership with Africa Amid US Trade Tension" by Brian Sokutu.

Amid strained ties between Africa and the Trump administration, China has announced a new economic package that includes full zero-tariff access for 100 percent of African imports, effective from 1 May.  It has also declared 2026 as "China-Africa Year of People-to-People Exchanges" with some 600 events planned.

Comment:  China is cleverly taking advantage of the downturn in US-Africa relations and especially the decision by the Trump administration to increase tariffs on goods imported from most African countries.  Beijing announced the zero-tariff policy at the beginning of 2026 and the people-to-people exchanges early last year.  These are not particularly new initiatives.  

It should also be noted that China has had a trade surplus with Africa for the past 15 years and the size of that surplus has been growing steadily.  A number of African countries have expressed concern over the size of their trade deficit with China.  China's tariffs have not been the primary obstacle to importing more from Africa.  Africa has to have what China wants and historically, with the exception of raw materials such as critical minerals, that has limited its exports to China.  

Nevertheless, China is able to make an invidious comparison with the current state of US-Africa relations, and at minimal cost.   

People-to-People Solution to Tigray-Eritrea Differences?

 Ethiopia Insight published on 12 February 2026 a commentary titled "Can a People's Pact Heal a War of Elites?" by Giday Amare, a public servant in the health care sector.  

The author wants ordinary Tigrayans and Eritreans to come together at the people-to-people level in an effort to heal old wounds and overcome divisive actions of elites on both sides of the border.  

Nigeria Foresees Closer Ties with China in 2026

 Nigeria's Punch published on 1 January 2026 an article titled "Nigeria Eyes Deeper China Ties Entering 2026" by Justice Okamgba.

China's ties with Nigeria strengthened in 2025 and are expected to improve even more in 2026 as Nigeria looks for closer economic cooperation.

China-Africa Civil Society and People-to-People Exchanges

 The Ghana-based Afro-Sino Centre of International Relations published on 13 June 2022 a commentary titled "People-to-People and Civil Society Organizations Engagements in Africa-China Relations."

China attaches considerable importance to people-to-people exchanges with Africa while civil society engagements are given marginal attention.  

Studies on China's Pursuit of Influence in Africa

 The National Bureau of Asian Research published in June 2022 a major study titled "Political Front Lines: China's Pursuit of Influence in Africa" edited by Nadege Rolland.  

It contains the following chapters:

--Introduction by Nadege Rolland.

--United Front Work and Political Influence Operations in Sub-Saharan Africa by Mareike Ohlberg.

--Party-to-Party Relations and Political Training by Jean-Pierre Cabestan.

--China's Growing Police and  Enforcement Cooperation in Africa by Paul Nantulya.

--China in Africa's Media: A Case Study of Ghana by Emmanuel K. Dogbevi.

--Elite Relationships: Drivers of China's Influence in East Africa by Adam George.

China's Rapidly Evolving Security Agenda in Africa

The Chinafrica Project broadcast on 28 July 2018 a 27-minute podcast titled "China's Rapidly Evolving Security Agenda in Africa" with Lina Benabdallah, Wake Forest University.

The discussion covers the range of China's security relationships with Africa and suggests why African military personnel are increasingly eager to work with their counterparts in the People's Liberation Army.