Chinese port expansion in Africa serves economic gains

By Gerald Mbanda

A cargo ship is seen at a wharf of the expansion project of the Abidjan Port in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire, on Jan. 10, 2024. The expansion project of the Abidjan Port in Cote d’Ivoire, undertaken by China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC), started construction in 2015 and was put into use in 2020. (Xinhua/Han Xu)

An article published recently in the Africa Defence Forum (ADF) magazine (April 15, 2025), with the title; “Chinese Port Expansion Raises Sovereignty, Security Concerns,” does not represent facts and the piece seems intended to serve the propaganda machine of western countries to tarnish the image of China in Africa. The article serves the same purpose as the claims of “China’s debt trap diplomacy in Africa.”

First of all, by simply looking at the photo used in the story, it simply betrays the authors’ hidden motive. Going by journalistic principles of using a picture of the subject under discussion, one would have expected the author to use a photo related to ports. However, the picture selected was that of the Chinese military base in Doraleh, Djibouti. While the author acknowledges that China’s military base is close to other foreign military bases belonging to France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, it is ironical how he decides to single out China, and claims that, “a Chinese naval presence along African coasts could have catastrophic ramifications.”

 If other western countries can have military presence in Africa, and the issue raises no sovereignty and security concerns, why should China be the exception? France which colonized Djibouti was the first country to establish a military base in 1969. The United States opened a military base in 2003, Japan established its military base in 2011, and China opened its base in 2017. Questioning the motive of China opening a military base in an African country while other western bases were established before, it is like saying that other countries are entitled to have military bases in Africa while China is bad and should not be allowed, and its presence is a threat to Africa. This narrative that is manufactured by western countries is intended to spoil the good mutual relationship between China and African countries. Does it ring a bell when Africa Defense Forum (ADF) magazine which wrote the article is a publication sponsored   by U.S. Africa Command?

China’s port expansion in Africa cannot be considered to raise in isolation of other infrastructure development projects like roads, airports, railways, bridges, schools, hospitals, to mention but a few. If port expansion caused any security concerns, then other infrastructure development projects undertaken by China in Africa would be serving the same purpose.

There is a false sense of ownership of Africa by western countries which one can describe as a neo-colonial mindset, where they feel that since they colonized the continent, they have the monopoly to deal and decide on everything as if it was their personal property.  The whining on “Chinese port expansion” as a security threat for Africa comes from western countries rather than Africa, and this exposes the hypocrisy behind such kind of narrative.  

China believes in shared development with foreign policy is based on mutual respect and cooperation with no strings attached. The Belt and Road initiative (BRI), conceptualized by Chinese president Xi Jinping in 2013, has been implemented in more than 70 countries worldwide including many in Africa. Colonialism did not develop African ports, roads, railways as well as industries because they wanted to maintain the continent as a source of raw material for western countries. By developing African ports and other infrastructure, China is partnering with Africa countries to boost both internal and external trade.

The African Development Bank (ADB) estimates that Africa needs an estimated $170 billion a year by 2025, with a gap of around $100 billion per year, and China’s lending to African countries for infrastructure development has helped to close the gap.

During the Forum for China- Africa Cooperation Summit that took place in Beijing in September 2024, President Xi Jinping pledged to provide $ 51 billion over a period of three years, backing for more infrastructure projects in Africa, and the creation of at least 1 million jobs. Xi told delegates from more than 50 African nations, that China was ready to step up cooperation with Africa in industry, agriculture, infrastructure, trade and investment. “China and Africa account for one-third of the world population. Without our modernization, there will be no global modernization,” Xi emphasized.

The ADF magazine claim that, “Looking into the future, it can be expected that China will seek to increase its role in building African ports to expand its ownership and operational control toward Chinese commercial, economic, and military ends,” is not only myopic, but outright slanderous propaganda  against China. China has in a short period of time, helped Africa to realize various development projects under the Belt and Road Initiative which is in line with Africa’s agenda 2063.

The tangible results of China Africa cooperation which have improved economies and living standards of the people speak louder than western propaganda aimed at pulling down China.  China surpassed the US in 2009 to become Africa’s number one trading partner and in 2024; trade volume exceeded US$295.56 billion.  How can China’s development of Africa’s ports be viewed as a security concern?  China-Africa Cooperation under BRI is based on consultation, sharing and joint construction, win-win collaboration and fully respects Africa’s autonomy.

Gerald Mbanda is a researcher and publisher on China-Africa Cooperation and Development