China
Africa’s biggest trading partner and a major source of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is China. By 2023, the total amount of Chinese FDI in Africa had surpassed $47 billion, with outbound FDI to Africa reaching about $4.02 billion in 2022. The main areas of Chinese investment have been telecommunications, manufacturing, mining, and infrastructure development. Many large-scale projects, such as ports, railroads and industrial parks, have been made possible by the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) throughout Africa. Amongst the major recipients are South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nigeria, where investments are frequently accompanied by technical assistance and concessional financing. However, it is worth noting that the Chinese government has successfully delivered millions of dollars worth of development finance to Botswana that went towards financing the construction of health and education facilities, as well as the provision of low-cost housing to many deserving Batswana. Amongst many other projects financed by China in Botswana was the construction of the Letlhakeng–Kang road project, as well as the upcoming Mosetse–Kazungula railway project, which is expected to connect Botswana and Zambia via the already completed Kazungula Bridge.
