China strengthens security ties and influence in Africa

In recent years, China’s role in Africa has dramatically evolved. What was once a relationship primarily driven by economic cooperation, marked by infrastructure projects under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), has transformed into a far more comprehensive engagement, particularly in the realm of security. This shift was formalized during the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, where China committed billions in new aid over the next three years, including a specific allocation of $140 million for security cooperation.

This strategic shift is in response to growing instability across the African continent, driven by socioeconomic upheaval, rising debts, coups, armed banditry, and terrorism. Beijing’s new focus on security reflects its desire to protect its massive investments while simultaneously expanding its geopolitical influence. China’s engagement in Africa is no longer limited to economic development; it is increasingly about maintaining stability and asserting its presence in a continent undergoing significant political, social, and military changes.

China’s expanding security footprint in Africa represents a significant shift in global power dynamics. Beijing is not simply increasing its military support in terms of scale but also in scope. By conducting joint military exercises, such as the Peace Unity 2024 maneuvers with Tanzania and Mozambique in August, and surpassing Russia as the leading arms supplier to the region, China is asserting itself as a major security player.

Between 2019 and 2023, China accounted for a fifth of all arms imports to sub-Saharan Africa, surpassing even Russia, traditionally a dominant arms supplier to the region. Beijing has leveraged competitive pricing and flexible financing arrangements to outpace other global players, particularly as Russia grapples with the geopolitical consequences of its war in Ukraine. African regimes, aspiring despots, and military leaders are increasingly turning to China, as Beijing offers military support with fewer political strings attached than Western counterparts.

This strategy not only broadens the military resources available to African nations, but also allows China to embed itself deeply in the region’s security infrastructure. Beijing is providing arms, including advanced technologies such as drones and warships, while also training thousands of military and law enforcement personnel across the continent. The sale of the Cai Hong-4 (CH-4) unmanned aerial vehicle to countries like Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of the Congo is one example of how China is aligning military support with its economic partnerships.

China’s growing arms transfers to Africa come with significant risks. While such transfers may enhance the defensive capabilities of African states, they could also escalate existing conflicts, especially in regions with limited governance and entrenched power struggles. China’s advanced military hardware, from drones to armored vehicles, is being used in conflict zones, such as Libya, where local factions are vying for control. As a result, the influx of Chinese weaponry into unstable areas could potentially worsen regional conflicts, further entrenching Beijing in Africa’s complex security landscape.

This growing dominance of Chinese arms in sub-Saharan Africa also places Beijing on a potential collision course with other global powers, particularly within the United Nations Security Council. China’s role as a leading arms supplier challenges conventional arms transfer models and could undermine international efforts to impose arms embargoes as a tool for peace and stabilization. China’s flexible approach to arms sales, which often sidesteps the human rights concerns that accompany Western military aid, may lead to friction with fellow Security Council members.

China’s focus on security is not solely about arms transfers. Beijing’s broader strategy is encapsulated in its Global Security Initiative (GSI), through which it seeks to deepen its military ties with African nations while also promoting its governance model. China is providing substantial military assistance grants and training to more than 6,000 military personnel and 1,000 law enforcement officers, aiming to professionalize local security forces. This growing influence extends beyond military capabilities and into the realm of governance, as China fosters long-term alliances based on its model of centralized control and non-interference in domestic affairs.

The professionalization of African military forces under Chinese training programs is already having an impact on the ground. Local security forces in several African countries are becoming more capable of managing internal threats, leading to stronger regimes that can more effectively maintain control. However, the proliferation of Chinese military technology and expertise also risks entrenching authoritarian governments and undermining democratic movements across the continent.

In addition to state-led military initiatives, China is also expanding its role through private security companies. These companies provide practical security solutions to address gaps in local capabilities, protecting Chinese infrastructure projects and investments. This approach allows Beijing to maintain a presence in volatile regions without committing significant state military resources. However, it also positions China as a key player in African security, with the potential to influence local conflicts through its private security apparatus.

While China’s security engagement in Africa reinforces its status as the continent’s largest trading partner, it also raises concerns about the growing dependence of African nations on Chinese military aid and governance models. As China becomes a key guarantor of African security, it risks entangling itself in regional conflicts where its interests may conflict with those of its allies. Beijing could find itself in precarious positions, unable to de-escalate tensions due to its deepening relationships with both sides of various conflicts.

China’s approach, emphasizing sovereignty and non-interference, seeks to distinguish itself from Western interventions. However, this strategy comes with its own set of risks. By cementing its role as Africa’s primary security partner, China may inadvertently diminish the independence of African states, creating long-term dependencies that undermine their sovereignty. This new phase of China’s involvement in Africa, while providing short-term stability, could lead to troubling geopolitical shifts in the future.

China’s expanding security role in Africa marks a significant evolution in its engagement with the continent. While Beijing’s strategy may bring stability to certain regions, it also raises questions about the long-term implications for African sovereignty and regional peace. As China deepens its military alliances and arms transfers, the continent is poised for a transformation in power dynamics, with Beijing playing a central role in shaping Africa’s security landscape. Whether this will lead to stability or further entanglement in Africa’s conflicts remains to be seen.

Sonjib Chandra Das is a Staff Correspondent of Blitz.

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