2025, Vol. 7, Issue 12, Part D

Author(s): Maxwell Boateng and Patrick Kofi Adu

Abstract: In this paper, we critically examine the multifaceted nature of China’s engagement with West Africa, focusing on the experiences of Ghana, Nigeria, and Sierra Leone. Drawing from the recent China-Africa theoretical perspectives: Sino-optimism, Sino-skepticism, and Sino-pessimism, we explore the opportunities and challenges that define China’s role as both a development partner and a strategic actor in the region. Using a comparative case study approach, we argue that the benefits of the three selected relationships converge in the form of improved infrastructure, expanded access to electricity, and job creation, fuelling a Sino-optimist narrative across the board. However, the divergence is evident in scale, scope, and governance: while Ghana and Nigeria have attracted more ambitious infrastructure projects with strategic geopolitical value, Sierra Leone's smaller economy has led to relatively modest yet impactful Chinese engagements, particularly in agriculture and road infrastructure. On the other hand, the challenges also reflect both convergence and divergence. All three countries exhibit signs of trade imbalance, with continued reliance on exporting raw materials to China while importing finished goods, raising long-term concerns about industrial dependency. Yet, Ghana and Nigeria are more burdened by significant debt exposure and resource extraction concerns, whereas Sierra Leone's challenges centre on environmental degradation, limited trickle-down benefits, and the political risks of project cancellation. Concerns over sovereignty in Nigeria and Sierra Leone seem to be prevalent also, than it is in Ghana. Ultimately, the study concludes that China’s involvement in West Africa cannot be reduced to simplistic binaries of benevolence or exploitation. Instead, it represents a dynamic, evolving partnership: one that can either serve as a catalyst for sustainable development or reinforce dependency and structural inequalities depending on how it is managed. The findings call for strengthened governance, transparent policy frameworks, regional cooperation, and a strategic approach that prioritizes long-term national interests over short-term gains.

DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2025.v7.i12d.800

Pages: 262-275 | Views: 87 | Downloads: 18

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