Chinese Investments in Africa Under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI)
In the first half of 2026, Chinese investments made under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) in Africa reached $33.5 billion, a 254% increase from the same period last year, according to the China Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) Investment Report 2026 H1 by the Green Finance & Development Center of Fudan University and the Asia Pacific Centre for Industry Transitions of the University of Queensland.
Africa's Strategic Importance to China
Africa accounted for 67.24% of global Chinese investments related to the BRI in the first six months of 2026, confirming its strategic importance to Beijing. However, this growth is no longer primarily driven by large-scale infrastructure projects. Chinese construction contracts in Africa decreased by 60.8% to $13.49 billion, amidst a context marked by a decline in Chinese public loans and debt difficulties faced by several African countries.
Shift in Chinese Investment Strategy
China is now prioritizing strategic sectors such as:
- Energy
- Mining
- Industry
- Technology The top beneficiaries of Chinese investments in the first half of 2026 were:
- Ethiopia, with $18.9 billion in Chinese commitments
- Egypt, with $9.7 billion in Chinese commitments This shift in investment strategy highlights China's evolving approach to its investments in Africa, focusing on key sectors that drive economic growth and development.
