China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi has reaffirmed Beijing’s unwavering support for Africa, announcing a major military aid package and enhanced cooperation as he wrapped up his multi-nation Africa tour in Nigeria.
During his visit, Wang met with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar in Abuja. Following discussions, he pledged one billion yuan ($136 million) in military aid to Africa and announced plans to train 6,000 troops and 1,000 police officers across the continent.
“China will firmly support Africans in addressing African issues in the African way,” Wang stated after talks with Tinubu. “African people are the real masters of this continent.”
Wang also emphasized China’s commitment to regional unity and security, stating, “China supports Nigeria in rallying countries in the region to achieve strength through unity, to build synergy through reconciliation, and to promote security through cooperation.”
Nigeria, a key trade partner for China in sub-Saharan Africa, plays a vital role in Beijing’s strategy on the continent. The two nations traded goods worth $22.6 billion in 2023, with Nigeria exporting oil and gas to China and importing manufactured goods.
President Tinubu called for a more significant commitment from China to meet Africa’s vast infrastructural needs. Referring to Chinese President Xi Jinping’s pledge of $50 billion in aid over three years, Tinubu remarked, “The infrastructural needs of Africa are greater than that, and we want to move as rapidly as our other counterparts.”
Tinubu also urged China to leverage its global influence to support Nigeria’s bid for a permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council.
Wang’s visit comes amidst growing geopolitical competition in Africa, with nations like China, Russia, Turkey, and Iran seeking influence as many former French colonies turn away from Paris. China remains Africa’s top trading partner, with trade reaching $167.8 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
China’s investments in Africa, including infrastructure projects financed by public bank loans, have bolstered development but also raised concerns over rising debt in some nations. Beijing has deployed hundreds of thousands of workers and engineers to support these initiatives, securing strategic access to Africa’s vast resources, including copper, gold, and lithium.
Wang’s tour of Namibia, the Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria highlighted China’s dual focus on economic partnership and security cooperation. In Chad, his visit coincided with a foiled attack on the presidential palace in N’Djamena, emphasizing the continent’s ongoing security challenges.
Analysts suggest that China’s growing outreach to Africa reflects both an economic recalibration at home and geopolitical rivalry with the United States. While Beijing’s $50 billion pledge underscores its commitment to the continent, some African leaders, including Tinubu, are seeking increased investment to accelerate development.
As Wang concluded his tour, his remarks reinforced China’s broader vision for Africa: a continent taking charge of its destiny with Beijing as a key partner in security, development, and prosperity.
