In the first six months of 2026, Chinese direct investment in Africa under the Belt and Road Initiative exceeded $33.5 billion, representing a 254% increase compared to the same period in 2025. The continent thus absorbed 67.24% of the productive capital injected by Beijing globally under the program launched in autumn 2013, placing the region at the top of the investment destinations.

This reorientation is accompanied by a contraction of infrastructure projects financed by public debt. The value of construction contracts awarded to Chinese companies fell to $13.49 billion in the first half of 2026, down 60.8% year-over-year, accounting for 17.64% of the global Chinese construction market. Despite this disengagement of sovereign credit linked to local budget vulnerabilities, Africa remains the primary target of Beijing's global commitments with $46.99 billion, driven by the dynamics observed in Ethiopia ($18.9 billion) and Egypt ($9.7 billion).

The acceleration of industrial plant installations responds to the trade barriers erected by Washington and Brussels against Chinese goods. By taking advantage of preferential taxation and free trade agreements signed by several African states, Asian firms secure their international outlets. Globally, the Chinese initiative totals $126.4 billion in new commitments spread across 186 projects in 67 countries over the first six months of 2026, bringing the cumulative total of operations to $1,539 billion since its inception. Global sectoral arbitrations prioritize energy at 28.7%, mining and metallurgy at 17.2%, transportation at 14.4%, and technology at 13.4%.


Asaba

Tags: investissements chinois afrique nouvelles routes de la soie economie chinoise investissements directs chine afrique investissements economie mondiale relations économiques