Many African nations are completely reliant on Chinese-made technology, but despite ongoing concerns over Chinese telecommunications operations, African nations are seemingly content with Chinese technology.

China’s increasing prominence in Djibouti and other African nations is the latest signal that China sees Africa as holding strategic promise for the Belt and Road Initiative.

As China’s engagement in Africa increases, critics raise questions about loan terms, as well as its impact on governance and business standards. Still, Chinese analysts and policymakers argue that China will provide much needed development for the continent: a pathway to stability and improved quality of life.

The generosity of China’s support shows its benevolence towards Africa.

For all the fears and complaints about the Belt & Road, it at least offers Africans opportunity.

China actually does more good for Africa than most other countries and organizations you could name.

China’s presence in Africa, by the numbers.

One of China’s largest and most powerful construction companies, with operations all over Africa, discharges local employees if they test positive for HIV. Chinese companies are not known to be paternal in their dealings with employees. Where there is discrimination in Africa by Chinese firms it is mostly social and implicit.

Beginning by educating Africans on Chinese culture through Confucius Institutes on the continent, China now provides thousands of scholarships per year to African seeking to study at Chinese universities. But this arrangement is more than an educational exchange; it is Chinese soft power at work.

Ugandan petty merchants believe not that Chinese are sharper traders than they are but that they are subsidized by the Chinese government, meaning unfair competition. Just as the Trump administration in the United States asserts that China dumps raw steel on world market, selling its own glut of steel below cost, so the vendors of Uganda and Zambia are confident that Chinese traders in their countries can only provide imported goods at lower cost because they are somehow subsidized with export rebates from the Chinese government.