[bobs_salsa]

I think the major issue in this situation is that the loaned money effectively circulates back into Chinese hands, and all that the local economy gets in return is infrastructure that they will in a few years not be able to maintain or develop due to a lack of skill or resources.

So not only are none of the locals profiting from these projects, but more importantly no one is learning and developing the skills to construct and maintain the new infrastructure and services in the region.

This play by China (even if unintentional) is extremely predatory as it only makes the country more dependant on China.

In an ideal circumstance China would manage these projects while training and developing local talent to help develop the local industries. Only then do I believe would these deals be beneficial for Africa in the long run.

So you might believe these project are improving the local regions at the present, but I would be really interested to hear if you still believe so in 10 years.

[dirtyid]

This is the 101 debt trap propaganda narrative. Few years ago McKinsey field reports of 1000+ PRC firms across africa and 90% of employees were locals. There's studies back in mid 10s that show 70-80% localization figures across PRC infra export projects. Reality is PRC/BRI localization depends on project timelines - quick ones use more experienced PRC labour, long ones integrate more locals, because at the end of the day there's deadlines to meet and govs/people of underdeveloped countries want better infra fast. PRC supply, local demand, and even corruption mostly align in these deals. And what is even "extremely predatory", of course if they use PRC tech they would become more dependant to PRC supply chains just like they would be dependant on west when using western vendors. The western cope is thinking there's something wrong being dependent on PRC who has established industrial base to deliver and sustain these capital projects cheaper than west. Underdeveloped countries with limited indigenous capabilities have to choose who to be dependant on regardless, and without conflicting geopolitics like in ASEAN, PRC is the easy partner of choice.