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China’s Presence Now Covers 78 Ports in 32 African Countries, Impacting Global Trade and Geopolitics
China continues to expand its presence in Africa through the development of port infrastructure. Currently, Chinese state-owned enterprises are involved in the construction, financing, or operation of at least 78 ports spread across 32 African countries, representing about one-third of the continent’s port projects, according to a survey by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies. China’s investments in African ports have been a key component of its economic and geopolitical expansion strategy in the region.
Major Port Projects by China in Africa
The distribution of China’s investments in African ports on the continent follows this division:
- West Africa: 35 ports
- East Africa: 17 ports
- Southern Africa: 15 ports
- North Africa: 11 ports
Among the most relevant projects are:
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A new airport will be built with an investment of R$ 1.8 billion, will have a 3.5 km runway, a 35,000 m² terminal, and will occupy a gigantic area of 30,000 hectares to transform logistics, tourism, and air transport in Gabon.
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A 90-day modular home goes viral in Brazil with the promise of a kit starting from R$ 20 thousand, less waste, and a catch that many people only discover after starting construction on their own land.
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656 apartments and units starting from R$ 234 thousand will build a new vertical neighborhood in Blumenau, transform Velha Grande in three years, and expand the Minha Casa, Minha Vida program’s investment in the city’s expansion.
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WEG created a battery storage system that is transforming an old mine in Finland into a renewable energy hub. The project is one of the first hybrids in the Nordic country to combine solar generation with storage and helps stabilize the national electricity grid.
Port of Bagamoyo, Tanzania
The Port of Bagamoyo in Tanzania was designed to be one of the largest ports in Africa, with initial Chinese investment worth billions of dollars. The project, however, was halted in 2019 due to contractual disputes between the Tanzanian government and Chinese companies. In 2022, Tanzania announced plans to resume negotiations and enable the completion of the project, according to BBC Africa. This is one of the most emblematic examples of China’s investments in African ports.
Port of El-Hamdania, Algeria
Another significant project is the Port of El-Hamdania in Algeria, a deep-water terminal valued at US$ 3 billion, which was being developed with participation from Chinese companies. However, after nine years of planning, the Algerian government canceled the project, as reported by AGBI. This cancellation reflects the challenges faced by megaprojects in infrastructure on the continent and the impact of China’s investments in African ports.
Geopolitical Impact and International Response
Chinese presence in African infrastructure has generated reactions from the international community. To counterbalance this influence, the United States has intensified its economic presence in the region. Recently, President Joe Biden visited Angola, where he announced a robust investment for the Lobito Railway Corridor, an initiative seen as an attempt to offer alternatives to the Chinese model of financing, according to AP News.
China has also reinforced its commitment to Africa by signing a financing package of US$ 51 billion for infrastructure investments and job creation over the next three years. The country has also entered into strategic agreements with Nigeria for partnerships in nuclear energy and economic cooperation, as reported by Reuters. These developments are part of China’s long-term strategy for investments in African ports, consolidating its influence over the region’s maritime trade.
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