Story highlights
China is Africa's largest investor
It has been criticized for working with undemocratic African regimes
Despite this, an overwhelming majority like the Chinese
CNN
—
Increasing Chinese investment in everything from small food enterprises to massive railway projects across Africa has drawn criticism and warnings of a future dependency on Asia’s superpower.
But what do Africans themselves think about Chinese investors? Turns out, they love them.
According to a recent report by Afrobarometer, almost two-thirds (63%) of Africans say China’s influence is somewhat positive or very positive, while only 15% see it as somewhat or very negative.
“There is a negative narrative of China in Africa,” says Anyway Chingwete, co-author of the study and project manager at Afrobarometer and the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation in Cape Town, South Africa.
“But I believe ordinary citizens have a positive sentiment because of the contribution China has made to Africa.”
The attitudes vary from country to country, with people in Mali (92%), Niger (84%), and Liberia (81%) being particularly glad to have them around.
“This shows that African citizens are welcoming China’s involvement,” Chingwete adds.
It appears it’s not the Chinese culture or language Africans like best. It’s the potential financial investment China brings.
When asked which factors contributed most to China’s positive image, it was investment in infrastructure that came out on top.
China invests more in Africa than any other country, with Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania and Angola among the biggest recipients of Chinese funds.
Infrastructure development, for example highways and railways, is the main area of business for the Chinese in Africa, Chingwete says. They also invest in smaller enterprises and food outlets, according to the report.
Africans also like the Chinese for bringing affordable cars and mobile phones to the continent, says lead author Mogopodi Lekorwe, a professor of Politics at the University of Botswana.
“They used to be very expensive, but because these are now flooding the market, the prices have dropped.
“People can now pick and choose among things that they didn’t have access to in the past,” he adds.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
FADEL SENNA/AFP/Getty Images
Bridging cultures —
Trade and partnership deals between African countries and China have been steadily increasing in recent years. This summer saw the completion of Morocco's Mohammed VI Bridge,
a $72m project built by Chinese development group Cover-Mbec.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
ISSOUF SANOGO/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Whatever the weather —
Chinese investment is the leading source of
infrastructure spending in Africa. Nigeria accounts for the most umbrella imports, with trade worth $39 million in 2014.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
MARTIN BUREAU/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Access all areas —
Trade has become increasingly diverse, as typified by
recent deals to export elephants from Zimbabwe to China. President Robert Mugabe's government sold 24 elephants to Chinese zoos in 2015, and despite protests from animal welfare groups, the figure will climb again this year.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
JEKESAI NJIKIZANA/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Cost of smoking —
In addition to elephants, Zimbabwe also exports vast quantities of raw tobacco to China. Sales reached a new peak of $575 million in 2014. In return, China supplies Zimbabwe with telephone equipment worth over $50 million, and a range of construction equipment.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
ChinaFotoPress/Getty Images AsiaPac/Getty Images
Ben-in disguise —
Benin is the leading importer of wigs in Africa, spending $411 million in 2014 on Chinese-made fake hair. The tiny state was also by far the continent's largest buyer of cotton from China, worth $852 million.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
MEHDI FEDOUACH/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Exotic taste —
Morocco supported one of the country's most popular habits with tea imports from China worth $211 million in 2014, the most of any African state.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
AFP/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Right track —
Ethiopia supplied its booming construction industry by importing railway track materials worth $60 million in 2014, the highest spend in Africa.
Photos: Trillion dollar deals: The China-Africa partnership in pictures
ALEXANDER JOE/AFP/AFP/Getty Images
Wealth kick —
South Africa was the leading importer of bicycles in 2014, with trade valued at $23 million. Libya followed close behind with $11 million worth of Chinese bikes.
