Dozens of African leaders are arriving in Beijing for a three-day summit. The summit will start on Wednesday 4th September 2024. African leaders are seeking funding for infrastructure and trade deals.
Kenyan President William Ruto is among the attendees. He will request financing from Beijing to complete a section of a Chinese-funded railway linking Kenya to other nations in East Africa. Work stalled on that section – to Malaba, on the border with Uganda – five years ago as the two countries struggled to pay back their debts.
South African President Cyril Ramaphosa is also present. He began a state visit to China on Monday. He aims to sign trade deals and expand market access. Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan plans to secure new loan agreements with Beijing.
The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) summit is hosted by Beijing. It is a key platform for China’s engagement with Africa. This summit is held every three years. It has previously seen significant financial pledges from China for infrastructure.
China’s foreign ministry has announced four meetings during the summit. Topics include state governance, industrialization, agricultural modernization, and the Belt and Road Initiative.
China has been Africa’s largest trading partner for over a decade. Between 2000 and 2023, China extended loans exceeding US$182 billion. These loans funded major projects like ports, railways, highways and hydroelectric dams.
Some investments were made in countries affected by coups. These include Niger, Sudan, and Guinea. China has also sought a role in resolving African conflicts and civil wars.
The minister anticipates Beijing will seek African support for its global stance. “China will push for acceptance of its policies on human rights and the South China Sea, Beijing aims for a shift in its economic relationship with Africa. The focus will be less on large loans and more on investment.”
China will take this chance to emphazise in green energy cooperation at the summit. Among others are training and capacity-building initiatives ,steps to improve security for Chinese personnel and interests in Africa will be discussed.
