China shifts gear in Africa as it looks to a green future

Pulling power. That is what China still has across Africa. While the influence of others on the continent is questioned - for instance, France and the rest of the EU are being shunned by the Sahelian military juntas, and Russia’s mercenary-security “offer” is regarded with deep mistrust by pro-Western African governments - China has navigated a middle way.

Delegations from more than 50 states from across the African continent decided it was worth making the trip to Beijing for the latest China-Africa summit - known as the Forum on China-Africa Co-operation (Focac) - this week. Dozens of leaders turned up - as well as UN chief António Guterres.

Alongside veterans such as Congo-Brazzaville strongman Denis Sassou-Nguesso, this was a first such gathering for the new Senegalese head of state Bassirou Diomaye Faye - rewarded with a front-row place next to President Xi Jinping in a family photo of leaders and their spouses.

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