Chinese Loans to Africa by Region, 2000-2022

Source: Chinese Loans to Africa (CLA) Database, 2023. Boston University Global Development Policy Center.

From 2000-2022, countries in Southern Africa and East Africa historically borrowed the most from China primarily due to large-scale loans in Angola, Zambia, South Africa, Ethiopia and Kenya.

In 2021 and 2022, the regional composition is distinct from previous years; lending to West Africa was prominent while financing to North, Central, Southern and East Africa was minimal. West African countries who were not major borrowers in the past 20 years received a significant portion of loans. (BOSTON UNIVERSITY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT POLICY CENTER)

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by Cobus van Staden

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