By Kemoh Saidu Sesay
The recently held summit on the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) has once again demonstrated China’s evolving and deepening diplomatic relations with African countries, strengthening a relationship that has far-reaching economic and political impacts. The message of the President of the People’s Republic of China underscores the strategic alliance between China and the African continent, predicated in shared histories of anti-imperialism and the collective pursuit of modernization in the digital age. But beneath the diplomatic pleasantries, African nations, including Sierra Leone, must critically assess the broader impacts of this partnership.
Is the economic impact a boon or burden?
At a first glance of things, the China-Africa cooperation promises important economic benefits for the 53 nations of Africa that are diplomatically housed in Beijing save for Eswatini the landlocked country in Southern Africa which has no ties with China. It is the only African country that has diplomatic ties with Taiwan, which China claims as part of its territory. China’s rising involvement in infrastructure projects across the continent, from railways to energy systems, has been transformative. For Sierra Leone, projects like the construction of roads, bridges, and hospital facilities with Chinese funding and expertise are clear examples of such benefits.
Nevertheless, these endless economic ties also raise critical questions about the growing concept of “Debt-Trap Diplomacy”, a term credited to Brahma Chellaney, an Indian scholar. This is a situation where debt burden may eventually outweigh the short term benefits leading to a situation where vital national assets may be at risk of being leveraged to the Chinese government. In Sierra Leone, the influx of Chinese loans has been instrumental in driving infrastructure growth, but concerns should be raised over intent and sustainability of these debts. Sierra Leone, like many other African countries, needs to remain cautious of falling into a debt trap that may limit its long-term economic sovereignty.
President Xi’s speech overly emphasised on a “shared future” and the dream of modernization positions China as a critical partner in Africa’s development. So far, it’s palpable that China’s growing influence in the African continent is undeniably about enhancing its own global influence. African nations, while benefiting from Chinese investments, are also providing China with a political foothold in key regions across the continent.
For most African countries, especially Sierra Leone that is striving for political stability and economic growth, the deepening ties with China bring both opportunities and challenges. China’s non-interference policy in political matters appeals to African governments as it provides much needed financial and infrastructural support without the conditions often attached to Western aid coming from the IMF and World Bank. Yet, this hands-off approach may also embolden governments to bypass essential political reforms and accountability measures.
What are the forum’s broader impacts?
The Forum’s rhetoric of mutual respect and win-win cooperation resonates strongly, but there remains a need for African nations to engage China with a clear-eyed strategy with the continent’s agenda clearly articulated for the common good. It is essential that countries like Sierra Leone ensure that these partnerships lead to equitable development, where the benefits of Chinese investments translate into long-term national growth rather than fleeting economic gains or bogus statistical political reference. Transparency, strong governance, and the protection of national interests must guide these engagements.
To conclude, though this Forum represents a promising platform for growth and cooperation, it also demands a critical examination of its long-term impact on African nations. For Sierra Leone, it is an opportunity to leverage Chinese investments for sustainable development, but this must be done with careful consideration of the potential economic and political pitfalls that accompany such partnerships. The road to modernization, as Xi Jinping suggests, is a shared journey but African nations must ensure they are navigating it with their own interests firmly in mind.
