As instability deepens across parts of Africa, especially in sub-Saharan regions, China has started increasing its security activities on the continent.
With coups, terrorism, and social unrest disrupting daily life in many African nations, Beijing is now looking beyond economic ties and expanding its influence through military cooperation, arms transfers, and training programs.
This shift in approach comes as Africa becomes a key battleground for global powers competing for long-term influence. While China has long been known as Africa’s largest trading partner and lender, recent developments show a more active interest in security. At the September 2024 Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Beijing, leaders discussed strengthening their partnership, with China pledging $50 billion in funding over the next three years. Of that, $140 million will directly support security programs such as training soldiers and police forces, and bringing African officers to China for instruction.
Part of this shift includes joint military drills like Peace Unity 2024, conducted with Tanzania and Mozambique, focused on counterterrorism. Such exercises not only build tactical cooperation but also promote Chinese weapons systems and open new opportunities for arms sales. China’s involvement is becoming more visible in various regions, with infrastructure like the military training center in Tanzania reinforcing its long-term presence.
China is also outpacing traditional arms suppliers. According to recent data, China now leads in arms transfers to sub-Saharan Africa, with a 19% share from 2019 to 2023, surpassing Russia. A mix of low prices, flexible financing, and a growing need for security solutions among African states has helped Beijing move into markets once dominated by Moscow. Meanwhile, Russia’s global arms exports have declined sharply, opening further space for Chinese defense companies to step in.
These developments are not just numbers on a chart. In Mali, for instance, Chinese military vehicles were spotted in use by local forces during violent clashes last July that also involved Wagner Group fighters. This confirmed Beijing’s deepening connection to African militaries and its role in providing the equipment used in modern conflict zones.
What makes this evolution notable is how China is gradually transforming from a strictly economic partner to a major security player. By combining financial investment, military training, and defense equipment, it is building a broader network of influence. While its long-term goals are still unfolding, the presence of Chinese military assets and personnel is becoming a common feature in parts of the continent where instability persists.
This growing involvement shows that China is no longer focused solely on building roads and bridges in Africa — it is also shaping how nations there respond to rising threats. As other powers watch closely, China’s role in Africa is entering a new phase, one that blends strategy, security, and soft power with long-term ambitions.