China's influence on African ports extends to software, automation, and AI: study

Chinese companies have established a significant presence in Africa's maritime sector, not only operating, financing, and holding stakes in approximately one-third of the continent's ports but also controlling the crucial software, automation, and artificial intelligence (AI) systems that manage this infrastructure. This reach extends beyond the ports themselves, as Beijing finances and operates connected road, rail, and warehousing networks, effectively intertwining African trade with China's own trading systems.

These findings come from a study by the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies, which highlights how China has established shipping corridors connecting African port clusters to Chinese hub cities like Qingdao and Yantai. This development signifies Africa's increasing integration into China-centered maritime networks.

The report details that China's maritime influence covers key trade routes, including the Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Guinea, and Cape of Good Hope. These routes are vital for China's energy imports and other seaborne trade, collectively handling about $350 billion in annual commerce.

Much of this expansion is attributed to Beijing's Belt and Road Initiative, launched in 2013 to enhance global trade routes. Since its inception, China has invested an estimated $50 billion in African port infrastructure, according to the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies' research. This investment has coincided with a notable rise in China-Africa trade, which increased by nearly 18 percent in 2025, according to Chinese customs data.