Director China Africa Institute University of Makeni – Alpha Mohamed Jalloh
Africa’s role in global governance and the growing competition between China and the United States for influence on the continent make the G20 meeting, which will take place in Johannesburg on November 22, 2025, under the leadership of the Republic of South Africa, particularly significant. The summit is a crucial opportunity for both powers to clarify their strategies, establish alliances, and influence the post-Western era of world politics as Africa’s economic potential and strategic role in global supply networks and geopolitics rise.
Africa’s Opening: The G20 Presidency of South Africa
African priorities are now firmly on the table thanks to South Africa’s G20 chairmanship. The goal of shifting the focus considerably towards the Global South is reflected in the topic of “Solidarity, Equality, and Sustainability.” For instance, South Africa organized a high-level panel to address Africa’s debt crisis. G20 research reveals that although African issues have been more prevalent in G20 communiqués, commitment compliance is still uneven. There is no denying the opportunity: Africa’s population is comparable to that of China and India, its GDP is expanding (although slowly), and its value-chain potential is enormous.
This background creates the conditions for a three-way dynamic: China strengthening its alliances, Africa wanting more agencies, and the United States reevaluating its involvement—or withdrawing in some areas. In contrast, the G20 moment becomes a sign of shifting power more than just a venue for meetings.
China’s Deepening Partnership with Africa
Africa has long been seen by China as an area of expansion and a partner for its global aspirations. Chinese commentary before to the G20 highlights Africa-China collaboration as essential to a more equitable world order. Beijing’s message is that the “South-South” model may provide an alternative to Western growth paradigms through infrastructure, technology transfer, commerce, and governance exchanges.
This is especially clear in the bilateral relationship between China and South Africa. China is South Africa’s biggest trading partner, and the two nations work together to advance multilateral initiatives (such as through the BRICS platform). Due to the African Union’s increased representation in the G20, Chinese corporate investment in mining, energy, and infrastructure in South Africa has increased, despite Western interest becoming more selective.
What this means for Africa: Compared to many Western models, China offers scale, speed, and less normative conditionality (at least formally). African nations seeking to develop infrastructure, secure technology, and industrialize quickly may find it appealing. Naturally, over-reliance, debt loads, and strategic vulnerability continue to be risks, but China’s influence is now well-established.
U.S. Engagement: Repositioning and Unease
. In contrast, the U.S. approach to Africa has been more fractured in recent years. The G20 presidency of South Africa has emphasized U.S. ambivalence: reports reveal a trend toward selective engagement, cynicism about multilateral fora, and emphasis on bilateral security or economic ties rather than comprehensive development frameworks. For instance, the United States’ minimal diplomatic attendance at G20 meetings in the middle of the year suggests that the African-led agenda is not as important.
What does this actually mean? Through commerce, security cooperation, aid, and strategic alliances, the United States continues to be a key force in Africa, but China’s all-encompassing strategy challenges it. Furthermore, African nations are becoming more at ease with expanding their alliances. The American narrative of individual leadership is complicated by this. The United States will need to change if it wants to continue to have an impact. Instead of using top-down strategies, it will need to give attractive development funding, cutting-edge technology, support for governance, and true cooperation.
The Contest for Influence: Infrastructure, Trade, Governance
. There are various ways to see the rivalry between China and the United States in Africa:
• Industrialization and infrastructure: China’s major initiatives in ports, railroads, and energy transformation (including renewable energy) are evident throughout Africa. In contrast, the United States has placed more emphasis on essential material supply chains and private sector investment than on extensive state-led infrastructure.
• Trade and value chains: Africa’s desire to transition from exporting raw materials to producing goods with added value directly contributes to this competition. China seeks to expand its manufacturing presence in Africa, while the United States views Africa as a market for advanced manufacturing and services as well as a source of strategic minerals.
. • Governance, norms, and soft power: China emphasizes “modernization sharing” rather than exporting a model, framing its presence as non-interference and mutual benefit. African states that place a higher priority on development than normative precepts are less receptive to the U.S.’s governance narrative, which nevertheless emphasizes democratic institutions and the rule of law.
The U.S. governance narrative, which promotes democratic institutions and the rule of law, is less acceptable to African nations that prioritize development above normative principles. Africa is dire need of development and not someone to teach them what system will work for Africa and for Africans. And the Chinese clearly understands that, and they brought a win-win situation. Not coercing any government in terms of their governance system rather they work with governments to improve the living conditions of Africans, and this the Chinese has demonstrated and they had been viewed as a reliable partner for Africa.
Implications for Africa –
The contest has two sides: 1. POSSIBLITY 2. RISK Possibility:
African nations have more clout. Two major nations are courting them, and South Africa’s G20 chairmanship increases the visibility of African voices. They can insist on partnerships that are in line with their national interests, demand value-added investment, and bargain for better terms.
- Risks: Africa could turn into a battlefield for proxy rivalry with less focus on results for African development if the struggle turns into a zero-sum game. Real dangers include debt, export-oriented infrastructure, and strategic reliance. Additionally, Africa may have fewer options or a dominant partner with little real competition if the U.S. withdraws or turns its attention elsewhere.
What to Watch at the G20 Summit
A few crucial indications will show how this competition is developing as the G20 meets in Johannesburg on November 22, 2025:
• will the summit communiqué include specific promises that represent African-led aspirations (debt alleviation, industrialization, value-added trade)? The South African presidency has brought attention to these problems.
- Will the United States and China use the meeting to announce new projects in Africa, or will one take the stage? China appears ready to increase its influence; the United States’ activities will be keenly monitored.
• Will African nations continue to maintain strategic hedging between China and the United States or indicate alignment with one partner? The stance of South Africa and other big African economies will be important. - Will infrastructure investment, technology transfer, and development funding become more closely linked to the development of African value chains rather than just resource extraction? This will test not just the scope of cooperation but also its depth.
Conclusion
. The G20 summit in South Africa is a watershed in both how two superpowers interact with Africa in the twenty-first century and the continent’s position in the global order. China seems to be strengthening a wide-ranging, high-stakes alliance with African nations based on similar development, trade, and infrastructure. Despite its continued influence, the United States needs to reconsider how it can compete in the face of growing African agency and a variety of international alliances.
For African states, the offer is clear: use this moment to transition from being the object of competition to the subject of their own strategic decisions. The decisions made in Johannesburg will have an impact well beyond the summit hall; they will determine how Africa fits into the changing global influence architecture.
A message to our leaders that China is a reliable partner and they have already demonstrated that in the past and present, it is fair enough for Africans to take a position to align itself with a trusted partner in the area of development, and china is that entity that can help to transform the dreams of Africa to reality.
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