Structural Developments
February 2026
Shifting External Leverage in Africa
Summary
Throughout Africa, China is consolidating its influence by shifting from sovereign lending to entrenched trade dominance and structural industrial leverage. The United States is attempting to retain relevance through short-term, conditional trade tools rather than large-scale economic commitments. African nations are struggling with debt repayments, making them financially less flexible while deepening their trade dependence on China.
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