Chinese state-owned enterprises have expanded their influence across Africa by becoming stakeholders in approximately 78 out of 231 commercial ports, representing over a quarter of such facilities on the continent. Their involvement ranges from construction and financing to operational management. Notably, West Africa hosts nearly half of these Chinese-affiliated ports, with significant projects like Nigeria’s Lekki Deep Sea Port, where Chinese companies have played a dominant role. This extensive engagement surpasses China’s port involvements in other regions, such as Latin America and the Caribbean, which have ten Chinese-built or operated ports, and Asia, with 24. Beyond economic interests, this strategic positioning allows China to potentially establish maritime and military operations, enhancing its geopolitical footprint across Africa.
Source: SEMAFOR
