Paper short abstract:

The paper uses assesses the extent China is responsible for Africa's growing debt. It will also explore why debt from China is increasingly attractive to African countries and concludes by reflecting on how Chinese loans can help Africa achieve its SDG goals.

Paper long abstract:

Sovereign debt appetite in Africa has reached worrying and continues to grow at an unsustainable rate at a time when the growth rate of African economies is slowing down. The average debt to GDP level in Africa is now estimated at 50% - above the internationally accepted sustainable level (of 40%). The rise in debt levels has happened at a time when loans extended to African countries by China have grown at an estimated average annual rate of 20% over the last decade and a half. China is now Africa's largest creditor, accounting for approximately 18% (US$133 billion) of the debt of 43 African countries as of 2017 - spurring accusations that China is deliberately 'trapping' African countries in unsustainable debt.

The paper uses available quantitative and qualitative data to assess the extent China is responsible for Africa's growing debt. Among other things, the paper will reflect on the data challenges assessing debt data in Africa. It also explores why debt from China is increasingly attractive to African countries. It concludes by reflecting on how Chinese loans can not only help Africa achieve its SDG goals but also potentially help solve other global problems such as the current migration crisis Europe is facing.