Wang Yi’s Africa Tour: A 35-Year Tradition... or Just China Playing the Long Game?

Okay, let’s talk about something that’s been going on for 35 years—yeah, 35 years—and if you don’t know what I’m talking about, brace yourself. China’s Foreign Minister, Wang Yi, just landed in Africa for his yearly tour. Another one. I know, you’re probably thinking, “That’s cool, but why should I care?” Well, you need to know this is anything but your typical diplomatic trip.

So, here’s the lowdown: Wang Yi is hitting up Namibia, Republic of Congo, Chad, and Nigeria. You might think, “Nice countries, but why these ones?” Well, this tour isn’t just a friendly ‘hello,’ it’s more like a strategic chess move. And guess what? You, me, and everyone else are part of this grand game.

Let’s start with Namibia, the hidden gem in Africa. What’s so special about Namibia, you ask? Well, it’s got the kind of energy resources the world is salivating over—green energy, solar power, the good stuff. And guess who’s there to cozy up? You got it—China. The Chinese love that green energy; they want to lock it down like a Netflix password you’re not allowed to share. So when Wang Yi shows up, it’s not for the safari or the beautiful desert landscapes (although, sure, those are nice). It’s to talk about a future where China’s all over Namibia’s energy game. Smart move, right?

Now, let’s talk Republic of Congo. You know what’s going down there? The Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). This is like the Super Bowl of China-Africa relations. And guess who’s hosting it? Congo. Wang Yi’s showing up here because Congo is basically rolling out the red carpet, saying, “Yo, we’ve got some big ideas and we need China to help us make them happen.” And don’t get it twisted—China’s got big plans for Congo. The real question is, what’s China really after? It’s not just about handshakes; it’s about that long-term relationship. We’re talking resources and strategic positioning.

Chad—oh boy. Chad might not be the first place that comes to mind when you think about international diplomacy, but in the Sahel region? It’s crucial. Things can get a bit dicey there, so guess who’s all in on Chad’s stability? Again, China. They’re not just looking to be buddy-buddy; they’re making sure they have a foothold in a region that could shape the future of Africa. Think about it—China’s got this whole “we’re here to help stabilize the region” thing going, but let’s be real: if you’re China, you don’t help without getting something in return.

Now, the big one—Nigeria. The giant of Africa. The economic powerhouse. China’s loving Nigeria. But here’s the kicker: it’s not just about oil anymore (even though China still loves its oil, let’s not kid ourselves). China’s turning its gaze to Nigeria’s manufacturing scene. Yeah, that’s right—Nigeria wants to stop being just an oil supplier and start pumping out stuff the world wants to buy. And guess who wants to be part of that? Yeah,  China. They're all about industrial investment. If you’ve got a product, China wants to help you get it into the world’s hands. Talk about leveling up.

But here’s the thing that everyone loves to argue about—The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Some people are all for it, singing praises about how China’s helping build roads, railways, and airports. Thanks for the infrastructure, right? But then you’ve got the critics, who’re like, “Uh, China’s just trying to control Africa’s resources.” And look, I get it. There’s a bit of a power play happening, and China’s not shy about it. But... here’s where it gets really interesting.

Hannah Ryder, Africa-China analyst and CEO of Development Reimagined, drops some truth bombs here. She’s like, “Yeah, these projects are often the ones Africa’s wanted for ages—stuff that no one else was offering to fund.” And guess what? They’re getting done, whether you love or hate the fine print. In places like Nigeria, where railways are getting built and highways are actually getting paved, it’s hard to argue that China’s not doing something real. Sure, the financing isn’t perfect, and there’s that whole “debt trap” fear looming, but let’s be honest: a lot of these countries needed this infrastructure yesterday.

So, here’s the million-dollar question: Is China’s 35-year tradition of visiting Africa a symbol of true friendship? Or is it more like a carefully orchestrated game where China is playing the long game—cementing their dominance while everyone else is still stuck on Level 1?

China’s playing the long game, and Africa? It’s not a pawn. It’s a key player. But who’s winning? Only time will tell!