China's Stadium Diplomacy in Africa

 The New York Times published on 10 February 2024 an article titled "China Keeps Building Stadiums in Africa.  But at What Cost?" by Elian Peltier.

China has been building sports stadiums across Africa for decades.  One of the most recent ones is in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, which is hosting the month-long Africa Cup of Nations.  Most of these stadiums are donations from China or financed through soft loans from Chinese banks.  

At the same time, there are some downsides.  China rarely delivers the infrastructure to support the stadiums or the funding and know-how to maintain them.  Some of the largest stadiums such as the one in Gabon constructed for the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations host subsequent events with many empty seats. 

China's Stadium and Sports Diplomacy in Africa

 The Conversation published on 2 January 2024 a commentary titled "Africa Cup of Nations Showcases the Continent's Finest Footballers -- and China's Economic Clout" by Simon Chadwick and Chris Toronyi.

China has a long history of building stadiums in Africa.  This piece updates China's recent efforts to increase its influence in Africa through stadium construction and support of sport's tournaments.  It also identifies increasing competition from Saudi Arabia and Qatar.  

China, Ghana and Stadiums

Sekondi stadium during the 2008 Africa Cup of Nations. Flickr/Oluniyi Ajao

China has been building sports stadiums in Africa since the beginning of its diplomatic relations with African countries.  Afua Hirsch, West Africa correspondent, published an article in the 29 April 2013 issue of The Guardian on a Chinese sports complex in Ghana titled "Ghana Plays Ball as China Splashes Cash on Gyms and Stadiums".  She quotes me in the piece.