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How Egypt and Ethiopia joining Brics could help boost China’s influence in Africa

  • The two countries occupy an important strategic position and have long-standing political and economic ties with Beijing
  • Both have also received extensive Chinese investments, including a new Egyptian capital and rail line linking Addis Ababa and Djibouti

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A train runs on the Chinese-funded Ethiopia-Djibouti railway. Photo: Xinhua
The recent decision to admit Ethiopia and Egypt to the expanded Brics bloc of developing economies may help China expand its influence in two strategically important regions of Africa, analysts have said.

The two countries are among the most populous in North Africa and the Horn of Africa and have historically close relations with Beijing.

“Ethiopia is a major power in the Horn of Africa and Egypt controls one of the most important maritime passages in the world,” said Tim Zajontz, a research fellow in the Centre for International and Comparative Politics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Both are also firm supporters of the Belt and Road Initiative, and have received extensive investments from China, including Egypt’s Suez Canal Economic Zone and a new capital city outside Cairo known as the New Administrative Capital.
In Ethiopia, China funded the building of the US$4.5 billion Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and Chinese companies have invested heavily in the country’s light manufacturing industry.
It is in the Horn of Africa where China set up its first overseas military base, in neighbouring Djibouti, and last year appointed a special envoy to help broker peace in various countries in the region such as Sudan and Somalia.
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