China's Infrastructure Investments Transform Horn of Africa Development

The Horn of Africa faces ongoing challenges including conflict, poverty, and fragile infrastructure, with many countries unlikely to meet the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. China has proposed the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa initiative, part of its broader Belt and Road Initiative, aiming to foster peace, development, and regional cooperation. In Zimbabwe and across Africa, China's partnership is seen as a revolutionary alternative to Western influence, focusing on infrastructure and energy projects that promote self-sufficiency and economic revival. However, Chinese involvement in Africa also has a shadow side, with authorities uncovering networks of illegal activities linked to Chinese nationals, including illegal mining, human trafficking, and cybercrime, even as African governments continue to deepen ties with Beijing. This dual reality highlights both the transformative potential and complex challenges of China's expanding role in Africa's development and security landscape.