Accra: China's engagement with Africa continues to be a topic of discussion amid claims that the country is ensnaring African nations in a 'debt trap'. A feature by Ambassador Tong Defa counters these assertions, arguing that China's relationship with Africa is based on solidarity rather than exploitation.
According to Ghana News Agency, the feature responds to an article by Mr. Kherssie Benjamin that likened China's development cooperation with Sri Lanka and Laos to a modern-day 'Shylock'. The article also warned Ghana about potential dangers in engaging with China. However, Ambassador Tong Defa finds these claims misleading and emphasizes the cooperative nature of China's partnerships.
In the case of Sri Lanka's Hambantota Port, often cited as evidence of China's aggressive financial tactics, Ambassador Tong Defa clarifies that the port remains under Sri Lankan government control. Similarly, the China-Laos Interconnection Project is recognized by Laotian authorities as a strategic venture enhancing energy infrastructure and connectivity.
Ghana's debt structure further sheds light on this narrative. The Ministry of Finance reported that prior to 2022, Ghana's total public debt was US$54.4 billion, with just US$1 billion owed to China. This represents a small fraction compared to debts owed to Western financial institutions and multilateral lenders.
China, as co-chair of Ghana's Official Creditors Committee, has actively supported Ghana's debt restructuring. Across Africa, multilateral institutions and commercial creditors, rather than China, account for the majority of the continent's debt burden.
Data from the World Bank indicates that multilateral institutions and commercial creditors hold a significant portion of Africa's external debt, with reluctance from these lenders to participate in debt relief efforts such as the G20's Common Framework for Debt Treatment.
The UK-based NGO Debt Justice reports that Western private financial institutions hold a larger share of Africa's external debt than China, often at higher interest rates. Meanwhile, China's support has primarily involved grants and interest-free loans, many of which have been cancelled.
Research from Johns Hopkins University reveals China cancelled US$3.4 billion in African debt between 2000 and 2019, refinancing another US$15 billion, without seizing any African assets. China's infrastructure projects in Africa, including roads, railways, and hospitals, signify their ongoing commitment to development.
Ambassador Tong Defa invites critical reflection on the motives behind the 'debt trap' narrative, questioning whether it seeks to undermine China-Africa cooperation. At the 2024 Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, African leaders expressed a desire to deepen ties with China.
On June 11, 2025, China's announcement of zero-tariff treatment for 53 African countries was welcomed, contrasting recent barriers imposed by other global powers. Ambassador Tong Defa underscores the tangible benefits of China-Africa cooperation and urges Ghanaian citizens and media to engage with the facts for Africa's progress.
