The BBC posted on 26 August 2026 an article titled "China Advises Its Citizens to Leave Taiwan Ally Eswatini Over 'Security Risks'" by Basillioh Rukanga.
China's Foreign Ministry told its citizens to leave Eswatini, the only country in Africa that recognizes Taiwan, citing "rampant cyber fraud and criminal activities associated with gambling." Eswatini had earlier arrested 40 Chinese nationals during raids on alleged illegal online gambling centers.
Lokmat Times published on 5 December 2025 an article titled "Africa Faces Growing Cybercrime as China Linked Syndicates Expand Operations."
Nigeria is emerging as the epicenter of a cybercrime crisis that is engulfing Africa. In late 2024 and early 2025, coordinated raids in Lagos and Abuja resulted in the arrest of nearly 1,000 suspects, including 177 Chinese nationals. These syndicates siphon tens of billions of dollars annually through fake investments, romance schemes, and cryptocurrency fraud.
African governments are operating in an uncomfortable situation. They are dependent on Chinese economic partnerships while they need to confront criminal networks that involve Chinese nationals.
News Diggers recently aired a 54-minute video documentary titled "Chinese Investment in Zambia -- the Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous" by Joseph Mwenda.
The documentary focuses on environmental damage caused by the collapse of a copper mine tailing dam controlled by Sino-Metals Ltd., sulfur dioxide released into the air by Avocado Mining Ltd., and dangerous working conditions in artisanal copper mines where Rong Xing Investment buys much of the production.
China's embassy in Lusaka tried to prevent the airing of this controversial documentary.
The BBC published on 5 June 2024 an article titled "Chinese Nationals Ran Cybercrime Syndicate from Zambia" by Wycliffe Muia.
Twenty-two Chinese nationals pleaded guilty to committing cyber-related crimes in Zambia. They were among seventy-seven persons, mostly Zambian nationals, arrested in April in connection with the fraud. The company that organized the cybercrime was the Chinese-run Golden Top Support Services.
Africa Defense Forum published on 7 May 2024 an article titled "Chinese Cyber Scam Bust Reveals Zambia's Efforts to Disrupt Online Fraudsters."
Zambian authorities arrested 35 Chinese nationals and 70 Zambians since last month for operating a scam call center in Lusaka. Victims of the scam operation were located across Africa and beyond.
The Daily Maverick published on 22 August 2021 a commentary titled "Russia's Efforts to Promote Cyber Norms that Serve Its Interests Gain Traction in Africa" by Cayley Clifford.
Moscow's preference for state cyber sovereignty that gives countries regulatory freedom to stifle political opposition or citizen dissent is gaining support among African countries.
