(Ecofin Agency) - The report highlights that nearly half of the ports built or operated by Beijing in Africa have the technical and structural capabilities to accommodate Chinese naval fleets.

Chinese state-owned companies are involved in 78 African ports as financiers, builders, or operators, representing 33% of the continent's port infrastructure. This is part of Beijing's broader strategy to boost trade flows and advance its geopolitical ambitions, according to a report published on March 10, 2025, by the Africa Center for Strategic Studies (ACSS).

Titled Mapping China’s Strategic Port Development in Africa, the report highlights that Chinese-backed port projects span 32 countries, with a strong concentration in West Africa (35 ports). This compares to 17 in East Africa, 15 in Southern Africa, and 11 in North Africa.

China’s presence in Africa’s port sector is unmatched anywhere else in the world. By contrast, Latin America and the Caribbean host only 10 ports built, financed, or operated by Chinese firms, while Asian countries have 24.

China’s Dominance in Port Development

In some African ports, Chinese state-owned enterprises control nearly every aspect of development, from financing and construction to operations and ownership. Major conglomerates like China Communications Construction Corporation (CCCC) secure contracts as lead developers, subcontract work to subsidiaries like China Harbor Engineering Company (CHEC), arrange financing, and later acquire stakes in the ports they build.

A prime example is the Lekki Deep Sea Port in Nigeria, one of West Africa’s busiest. CHEC handled engineering and construction, secured a loan from China Development Bank (CDB) to fund the project, and later acquired a 54% stake in the port, which it operates under a 16-year lease.

 port of Lekki

The report underscores that China’s deep involvement in Africa’s port sector aligns with its economic and geopolitical goals. Financially, China earns up to $13 in trade revenue for every $1 invested in African ports, according to estimates from PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). Controlling port operations also gives Chinese firms leverage over trade flows, allowing them to influence docking rights, shipping fees, and service priorities, often favoring Chinese cargo.

Strategic Ambitions Beyond Trade

China’s foreign port investments are guided by its five-year economic plans. The current plan (2021-2025) outlines a "six corridors, six routes, multiple countries and ports" framework to advance the Belt and Road Initiative. Three of these corridors pass through Africa, connecting to Kenya, Tanzania, Egypt, and Tunisia.

Africa’s port development is also central to China’s "Go Global" strategy, which provides massive state-backed subsidies to help Chinese companies expand into emerging markets.

However, Beijing’s ambitions go beyond economics. China’s growing presence in African ports supports its broader geopolitical strategy to reshape the global order. Of the 78 African ports with Chinese involvement, 36 have hosted visits or military drills by the People’s Liberation Army Navy (PLAN). These include ports in Maputo (Mozambique), Dar es Salaam (Tanzania), Lagos (Nigeria), Durban (South Africa), and Port-Gentil (Gabon). Their ability to accommodate Chinese naval fleets suggests they could serve as future military bases.

China’s development of the Doraleh Port in Djibouti, initially presented as a commercial project, was expanded in 2017 to host China’s first overseas military base. Former PLAN commander Wu Shengli once mentioned that China’s overseas strategic maritime strongpoints were always envisioned as "platforms for building an integrated Chinese presence."

The Africa Center for Strategic Studies, a research institute under the U.S. Department of Defense, warns that discussions on China’s role in Africa’s port infrastructure often focus on economic growth and debt implications, overlooking critical issues related to sovereignty and security.

The report emphasizes that African nations must carefully navigate these partnerships, avoiding geopolitical alignments that could compromise their strategic interests. As China continues to expand its footprint across Africa’s ports, governments will need to negotiate deals that protect their economic and national security interests in the long run.