Africa's debt dilemma: China's role and implications for development

This policy brief underscores the need for transparency, responsible lending and collaborative efforts to address Africa’s debt distress.

Debt distress in Africa has been affected by numerous factors. China’s role isn’t the primary cause, but concerns arise due to transparency issues, clauses impacting local industries, and the absence of collective restructuring options in Chinese loan contracts. These challenges affect human security, development and economic stability. This policy brief underscores the need for transparency, responsible lending practices and collaborative efforts to address Africa’s complex debt dilemma.

About the author

Jana de Kluiver is a Research Officer at the Institute for Security Studies’ Africa in the World project in Pretoria, South Africa. She holds an MA in political science from the University of the Free State.

Image: © Amelia Broodryk/ISS