China’s Expanding Influence in Africa’s Port Development and Geopolitical Competition
Africa Center for Strategic Studies
Executive Summary
China’s strategic expansion in Africa’s port infrastructure, encompassing 78 ports across 32 countries, is raising geopolitical concerns. Through its state-owned firms, China is securing major stakes in Africa’s maritime trade hubs, creating economic leverage and potential military advantages. The U.S. and its allies are increasingly wary of Beijing’s ability to repurpose commercial ports for military use, particularly after its Djibouti naval base. This growing Chinese presence is shaping Africa’s economic dependencies, security landscape, and strategic alliances, intensifying global rivalries between China and the West.
Analysis
China’s aggressive investment in African port infrastructure is transforming the continent’s economic and geopolitical landscape. Chinese firms, led by state-owned enterprises such as China Communications Construction Corporation (CCCC) and China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC), are playing a dominant role in port construction, financing, and management. This gives China economic leverage over Africa’s trade flows, allowing Beijing to control access, dictate trade terms, and potentially influence local economies.
The implications extend beyond economics. Beijing’s approach follows its “military-civil fusion” strategy, where commercial ports can be adapted for military use. Djibouti’s Doraleh Port serves as a prime example—initially promoted as a commercial project, it later became China’s first overseas military base. This raises concerns that similar conversions could happen elsewhere, particularly in strategic locations such as Luanda (Angola), Lekki (Nigeria), and Mombasa (Kenya), where Chinese firms hold significant stakes.
The United States and its allies are growing increasingly concerned about China’s foothold in Africa. Washington sees China’s naval ambitions as a direct challenge to Western interests, particularly as Beijing positions itself to expand its military presence beyond the Indian Ocean into the Atlantic. U.S. military officials have repeatedly warned about China’s interest in establishing a second military base in West Africa, which would grant it strategic access to the Atlantic—directly opposite the U.S. East Coast. Equatorial Guinea has been a focal point of speculation, though reports indicate discussions have stalled.
At the same time, the U.S. has struggled to maintain its military footprint in Africa. The forced withdrawal of U.S. troops from Niger this year highlights Washington’s declining influence in West Africa, a region where Beijing is actively increasing its presence. China’s recent commitment to train 6,000 African military personnel further demonstrates its intent to deepen security ties across the continent, potentially positioning itself as an alternative to Western military cooperation.
Beyond military concerns, China’s strategic expansion in Africa extends to technology and artificial intelligence. Companies like Huawei and Alibaba are investing heavily in digital infrastructure, raising fears of digital sovereignty erosion. With China controlling data centers and AI models in Africa, there is growing apprehension that Beijing could exert political influence through information control and cybersecurity dominance. This aligns with broader patterns of China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), where infrastructure investments often come with embedded strategic dependencies.
Despite these concerns, African nations view China’s engagement with mixed perspectives. While some leaders welcome Chinese investments as a means to modernize their economies, others worry about the long-term implications of debt dependence and sovereignty risks. The China-Africa summit (FOCAC 2024) showcased this tension, as African nations sought investment while expressing concerns over China’s growing leverage. Unlike previous summits, Beijing did not offer broad-based debt relief, signaling a shift toward more cautious lending amid China’s own economic slowdown.
Africa’s geopolitical significance has never been higher, with both China and the U.S. vying for influence. While Beijing secures strategic footholds through infrastructure investments and military engagement, Washington is attempting to recalibrate its approach. The Lobito Corridor project, backed by the U.S. and its allies, aims to counterbalance China’s dominance by facilitating critical mineral exports through alternative trade routes. However, whether these efforts can match Beijing’s entrenched influence remains uncertain.
As Africa navigates this intensifying competition, its leaders must weigh economic opportunities against long-term strategic dependencies. The future of Africa’s port infrastructure—and its broader geopolitical alignment—will be a key battleground in the emerging global order.
Sources
China’s Strategic Port Development in Africa – Africa Center for Strategic Studies
U.S.-China Engagement in Africa at a Crossroads – Brookings Institution
The Future of China-Africa Economic Relations – World Economic Forum
China’s Economic Transition and Its Impact on Africa – Carnegie Endowment
Countering Chinese and Russian Influence in North Africa – Washington Institute
China vs. U.S. Battle for Influence Expands – Vision of Humanity
China-Africa Summit: A Shifting Relationship – Chatham House
