China and Africa Should Neither Speak Latin Nor Greek

The recent Triennial Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) held in Beijing from September 4-6, 2024, poses a critical question: do China and Africa truly understand each other’s language? The forum’s theme, “Joining Hands to Advance Modernisation and Build a High-Level China-Africa Community with a Shared Future,” suggests that both are moving in sync towards a common goal. But can two walk together without an agreement? The ‘strategic partnership’ agreements being signed between China and various African countries often suggest otherwise.

Chinese President Xi Jinping has met with several African leaders, including Presidents Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo, Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria, and leaders from Mali, Togo, Djibouti, and Comoros.

Examining the summit, China's interests appear to be fourfold:

Increasing Exports and Services: China aims to boost its exports and services to Africa, which includes substantial investments in infrastructure development.

Expanding Imports: China seeks to significantly increase imports from Africa, focusing on vital minerals such as lithium, copper, and cobalt.

Safeguarding Investments: To protect its investments, China plans to transfer billions of dollars from the U.S. to Africa through loans, with a recent promise of $50.70 billion.

Global Influence: By gathering over 50 African leaders in Beijing, China aims to expand its global influence, counterbalance Taiwanese sovereignty issues, navigate challenges in the South China Sea, and address the unpredictability of U.S. foreign policy. Ultimately, China envisions a comprehensive land and sea network connecting it with Africa.

In contrast, Africa’s strategic interests seem less clear beyond endorsing agreements and hoping for China’s generosity. A closer look at Nigeria’s recent agreement with China provides insight. While President Tinubu engaged with Chinese leaders, Vice President Kashim Shettima met American billionaire Bill Gates, who has faced skepticism in Nigeria. Gates emphasized the urgent need to invest in Nigeria’s greatest resource: its people. Yet, Nigeria’s neglect of its population is glaring, with 18.3 million children out of school.

Nigeria claims its economic reforms align with China’s, but this comparison is misleading. While China’s reforms have lifted 300 million people out of poverty and eradicated extreme poverty by 2024, Nigeria’s economic conditions have deteriorated, making it the poverty capital of the world. China’s success stems from strategies like education, production, ecological compensation, social assistance, and relocation. In contrast, Nigeria struggles with failing educational systems, reliance on fuel imports, environmental degradation, and ineffective social assistance programs.

China’s effective management of foreign exchange and successful economic reforms starkly contrasts Nigeria’s approach. Nigeria’s currency has been allowed to float uncontrollably, and its electricity sector reforms have resulted in escalating tariffs and poor service.

A positive development is the currency swap agreement between Presidents Xi and Tinubu, aimed at boosting trade. Unlike a similar agreement in 2018 that faltered under President Buhari, there is hope that President Tinubu will implement it effectively.

The hope for FOCAC 2024 is that Africa and China will not speak “Latin or Greek” but a mutually comprehensible language, and that Africa will learn from China’s successful strategies.