Chinese investments in Africa: a source of economic growth or a new form of neocolonialism?

The article examines the features of China's investment strategy in African countries in the context of its impact on economic development and the formation of foreign economic dependencies. The study aims to identify contradictions between the declarative policy of "mutually beneficial cooperation" and the actual mechanisms of economic influence used by the PRC. The analysis of the dynamics and structure of Chinese investments for the period 2003-2023 is carried out, an assessment of the industry orientation and geographical concentration of capital is given. Special attention is paid to the conceptualization of the phenomenon of "tied investments" as a tool for the transformation of debt obligations into elements of institutional control over key assets. The methodological basis consists of structural and comparative analytical methods, as well as dependency theory and modernization concepts. The paper focuses on the correlation between the volume of Chinese investments and changes in the foreign policy orientation of African states. It is concluded that there are signs of neocolonialism in the modern investment policy of China on the continent. The results obtained indicate the need to rethink the paradigm of international economic cooperation and develop mechanisms that ensure a balance between investment attractiveness and sustainable development of the recipient countries.