China’s Dual Pathway of Security Activism and Political Influence Operations in Africa

China is strategically expanding its influence in Africa by employing the dual pathways of security activism and political influence operations. Disruptions in global supply chains, soaring inflation, wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, coups and rising instability in mineral-rich Sahel region are all factors which have impacted China’s military and security presence in Africa. To protect its interests and expand its global influence, China is using its role as a leader of multilateral forums, arms sales, growing role in conflict mediation, rise in Chinese private security companies, its professional military education program and its Global Security Initiative (GSI) as vehicles to foster closer security ties with African nations. This paper examines these issues to highlight how China is embedding itself within Africa’s peace and security landscape and exerting greater political influence.