China has also sought to use FOCAC to counter growing competition in Africa from the United States, the European Union, Japan and others.

Last year, China approved loans worth $4.61 billion to Africa, in the first annual increase since 2016.

China approved loans worth $4.61 billion to Africa last year, the first annual increase since 2016.

While new Chinese investment in Africa increased 114 per cent last year, according to the Griffith Asia Institute at Australia's Griffith University,...