5 big deals and pledges Xi Jinping has made to woo African nations

At the recent China-Africa forum, Chinese President Xi Jinping made a series of sweeping pledges aimed at strengthening ties with African nations. With over 50 African leaders in attendance, alongside UN Secretary-General António Guterres, the forum marked China’s most significant diplomatic engagement with Africa since the pandemic. Xi’s pledges ranged from financing to military aid.

Here’s a closer look at the five most important deals and promises made by Xi Jinping during the summit.

1. $50.7 billion in financial support for Africa: One of the most eye-catching commitments from Xi was a massive $50.7 billion financial package for Africa over the next three years. This sum will be distributed across various sectors including infrastructure, agriculture, industry, and trade.

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Over half of the amount will be provided in credit, with $11 billion set aside as direct assistance. Additionally, $10 billion will be channelled into investments by Chinese firms.

China’s pledge raises concerns about increasing debt dependency on Beijing.

2. Creating 1 million jobs: Beyond financial aid, Xi has pledged that Chinese investments would help generate at least 1 million jobs across the continent, particularly through infrastructure and industrial projects.

The promise of job creation ties directly to China’s investment in sectors such as construction, manufacturing, and agriculture. As Chinese companies set up shop or expand their operations in Africa, they will employ locals, addressing unemployment in many parts of the continent.

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Job creation through foreign investments can be a double-edged sword. While it boosts employment, critics argue that it often leads to an influx of Chinese labour and firms, limiting local ownership and control over industries.

3. $141 million in military aid: Xi also announced that China will deepen military collaboration with African nations. A $141 million military aid package was unveiled, alongside commitments to train 6,000 African military personnel and 1,000 police and law enforcement officers.

This military aid solidifies China’s role as a key partner in Africa’s defence sector.

4. Focus on renewable energy and infrastructure: China is also heavily investing in renewable energy and infrastructure projects across Africa. Xi’s government has committed to partnerships in solar energy, railways, and roads.

Zambia, for example, struck a deal between its state-owned power company ZESCO and China’s PowerChina to expand rooftop solar panel use. Similarly, Kenya secured an agreement for the expansion of its Standard Gauge Railway and the development of the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba motorway, valued at $1.2 billion.

5. Agriculture and trade expansion: Xi’s pledges weren’t limited to heavy infrastructure and defence. China also plans to ramp up agricultural cooperation with African nations. Zimbabwe, for instance, secured Chinese commitments for deeper collaboration in agriculture, mining, and energy. In addition, a deal was struck that would allow Zimbabwean avocados to be exported to China—a key win for the nation’s agricultural sector.

Kenya also received promises for expanded agricultural trade, with a focus on opening China’s vast markets to Kenyan products.

With inputs from AFP