Chinese Loans to Africa Database – Data Update, 2000-2023

A new update to the Chinese Loans to Africa (CLA) Database, managed by the Boston University Global Development Policy Center, provides insights and analysis on the state of Chinese lending to Africa in the lead-up to the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation.

Over the past 23 years, Chinese development finance institutions, commercial banks, government entities, companies and other financiers have provided an estimated 1,306 loans amounting to $182.28 billion to 49 African governments and seven regional institutions.

The year 2023 represents the first time the annual loan amount to Africa has risen since 2016.

However, the increase most likely does not represent a return to consecutive annual commitment figures above $10 billion, as occurred in the early years of the Belt and Road Initiative.

Instead, China appears to be looking for a more sustainable equilibrium level of lending and experimenting with a strategy comprising three basic components: new risk mitigation measures, fewer funds and a focus on relationship maintenance.

While the maintenance of strategic relationships in Africa is key to China’s long-term objectives, risk mitigation is necessitated by Africa’s debt challenges and China’s domestic economic was alike. China’s lending to African countries in 2023 illustrates that new risk mitigation measures and the maintenance and strengthening of South-South cooperation may at times pull China in different directions.

On Wednesday, September 4, 10:00-11:00 AM EDT / 16:00-17:00 CET, join the Boston University Global Development Policy Center for a webinar discussion on the latest data and insights from the CLA Database.

Speakers:

• Lucas Engel: Data Analyst, Global China Initiative, Boston University Global Development Policy Center

• Jyhjong Hwang: Global China Pre-doctoral Research Fellow, Global China Initiative, Boston University Global Development Policy Center

• Diego Morro: Data Analyst and Database Manager, Global China Initiative, Boston University Global Development Policy Center

• Rebecca Ray (Moderator): Senior Academic Researcher, Global China Initiative, Boston University Global Development Policy Center