China’s investments in North Africa have intensified in 2026, building on long-standing Belt and Road Initiative frameworks while accelerating amid the US-Israeli war with Iran. Africa-wide engagement in China’s infrastructure initiative hit US$61.2 billion in 2025. This year, however, the scale and urgency of China’s activities in North Africa have been shaped in part by heightened geopolitical instability in the Gulf. AdvertisementChina’s economic engagement in North Africa is driven by three main pillars: energy security, infrastructure development and industrial expansion. Algeria has become increasingly important as a supplier of oil and natural gas by leveraging its Opec status and stability for China’s diversification.

Source: The North Africa Journal April 04, 2026 21:35 UTC