By Alpha Mohamed Jalloh, Director, China-Africa Institute, University of Makeni
In recent years, the claim that China is placing African countries in a so-called “debt trap” has gained significant traction in global discourse. According to this narrative, China deliberately lends money to African Governments with the knowledge that they may struggle to repay, allegedly with the hidden intention of seizing strategic national assets. This is a serious accusation. But is it supported by credible evidence? Before accepting such a powerful claim, Africans must carefully examine the facts and think independently.
Data from respected international institutions such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund show that Africa’s external debt is owed to a wide range of creditors. These include multilateral institutions, private lenders and Eurobond holders, as well as bilateral partners, among which China is one. In many African countries, private creditors hold a substantial share of external debt, often at significantly higher interest rates than bilateral loans. Yet, the “debt trap” accusation focuses almost exclusively on China. If Africa is facing debt stress, it cannot logically or fairly be attributed to one partner alone.
Unlike many commercial loans that are driven primarily by short-term profit motives, Chinese financing in Africa has largely focused on infrastructure development. This includes roads and highways, railways, ports, power plants, hospitals and telecommunications networks. These are not luxury projects; they are foundational investments aimed at promoting long-term economic growth and improving the welfare of citizens.
For decades, Africa has struggled with electricity shortages, inadequate transportation networks and limited industrial capacity. Western commercial lenders have often been reluctant to finance large-scale infrastructure projects because the returns typically materialize over an extended period. China stepped into this gap, providing financing for projects that many others were unwilling to support. While not every project has performed perfectly and some may underperform due to institutional weaknesses, development by its nature involves risk. No country in history has industrialized without borrowing to build critical infrastructure.
A central pillar of the “debt trap” theory is the claim that China intends to seize African assets when countries fail to repay loans. However, there is limited evidence of China taking over sovereign assets in Africa due to loan defaults. In situations where repayment difficulties have arisen, restructuring, renegotiation, and payment extensions have been more common responses than asset seizure. This practical reality does not align neatly with the popular narrative.
Another concerning aspect of the “debt trap” argument is the underlying suggestion that African Governments are naive or incapable of making sovereign decisions. African leaders negotiate agreements. African Parliaments approve loans. African Governments determine their development priorities. If mistakes occur, African institutions must be held accountable. To portray Africa solely as a victim diminishes African agency and responsibility. The continent must not be reduced to a chessboard in global power competition.
Africa’s debt challenges are not new nor are they limited to engagement with China. They are influenced by multiple structural and external factors, including commodity price fluctuations, global financial shocks such as COVID-19, rising global interest rates, currency depreciation and domestic fiscal weaknesses. Those pressures affect countries regardless of whether they borrow from China, Europe, multilateral institutions or private markets.
None of that suggests that Chinese lending should escape scrutiny. Transparency, environmental standards, strong procurement processes and sound debt management are essential. African Governments must borrow responsibly and ensure that projects generate measurable economic returns. Accountability and good governance are non-negotiable.
However, reducing Africa’s complex financial realities to a simplistic “China debt trap” slogan does little to advance constructive dialogue or sustainable development. Africa needs roads, reliable electricity, digital connectivity and industrialization. Infrastructure requires financing. The more relevant question is not whether China is trapping Africa, but how African nations can strategically manage all partnerships, diversify their economies, and strengthen governance systems.
As Africans, we must examine evidence carefully, reject overly simplistic narratives and defend our sovereignty in both policy and thinking. Development remains our responsibility. Partnerships are tools. How effectively and efficiently we use those tools will shape Africa’s future.
In my humble submission, African Governments must also educate citizens on how loans are negotiated, structured and implemented on their behalf. Greater public understanding can help prevent misinformation, promote accountability and ensure that national development remains a collective endeavor grounded in facts rather than rhetoric.
