Dr. Bruno Surdel, CIR’s fellow, stated in an interview with Radio Wnet that China is becoming the dominant player in West African countries, and the perception of Chinese influence is highly diverse.
“If we ask the people of Africa about this, we will receive completely different narratives,” he explained. “One perspective sees China as a country that, unlike the West, does not impose conditions when providing aid. The International Monetary Fund and the European Union, when offering assistance, often demand reforms, state-building efforts, and transparency, while also introducing their own agenda and ideas. Meanwhile, Sub-Saharan Africa is a region that wants to develop on its own terms and resists being lectured by the West.”
On the other hand, Dr. Surdel pointed out that China’s financial support comes in the form of loans that must be repaid—either in cash or, if financial resources are lacking, in kind.
“China brings its own technology and workforce,” he continued. “And when repayment is not possible, it takes over infrastructure or land. In this sense, China’s foreign policy exhibits clear neocolonial characteristics.”
