The notion of a “China debt trap” in Africa is not supported by empirical data, according to analysis presented during the Africa–China Dialogue hosted by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory (ACCPA) at the CEIBS Africa Campus in Accra.
Delivering the keynote presentation, Professor Alfred Schipke, Director of the East Asian Institute (EAI) at the National University of Singapore, provided insights from the newly launched IMF-backed volume Africa–China Linkages: Building Deeper and Broader Connections, which he co-edited. His presentation challenged prevailing Western narratives that portray Chinese lending as predatory, suggesting instead that Africa’s debt challenges are shaped by multiple factors—including global economic shifts, domestic fiscal pressures, and structural constraints.
The presentation emphasized that while some African countries do face growing debt burdens, there is no systematic evidence that China deliberately engages in coercive lending practices. Rather, Chinese financing was shown to be one among several sources of external debt, with Chinese creditors often willing to restructure or renegotiate terms in line with macroeconomic realities on the continent.
The forum also included a panel discussion with Dr. Samuel Darkwa, Governance Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Ghana, who highlighted the importance of strong institutional governance and domestic accountability in managing development financing effectively.
In closing remarks, the ACCPA reiterated the importance of evidence-based discussions on Africa–China cooperation and encouraged stakeholders to move beyond politicized narratives that undermine Africa’s policy sovereignty.
The event brought together policymakers, scholars, private sector leaders, and development practitioners, and also marked the official launch of Africa–China Linkages: Building Deeper and Broader Connections—a timely and comprehensive study of the evolving financial and economic engagement between Africa and China.
