China, Africa and Debt

Kenya's Daily Nation published on 9 September 2018 a commentary titled "Africans Must Analyse Lending by China, Ensure It's in Their Interest" by Kwendo Opanga, Kenyan journalist and media consultant.

The author notes that Kenya's debt now stands at $50 billion. China accounts for more than 70 percent of the bilateral debt or that from individual countries. He adds that in the 1980s the continent became mired in debt from the West. He argues that African leaders must avoid a repeat of this situation as a result of loans from China.

The Daily Nation includes in the same edition a commentary titled "China's 'Marshall Plan' for Africa--Debt or New Deal?" by Peter Kagwanja, chief executive of Africa Policy Institute. He urges African leaders to use China's loans wisely to industrialize.