China has emerged as the predominant global power in Africa, surpassing the United States, according to the latest Gallup report.
The report highlights China’s remarkable rise, with its approval ratings in Africa soaring by six percentage points in just one year, reaching an impressive 58% in 2023. This places China two points ahead of the USA.
China’s surge in approval ratings is attributed to its robust investments and strategic initiatives in Africa, notably through the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). With bilateral trade hitting a record $282.1 billion in 2023, China has solidified its position as Africa’s largest trading partner, bolstering its influence across the region.
Infrastructure projects funded by the BRI have further strengthened China’s foothold in African economies and governments.
Notably, China’s leadership saw substantial gains in approval ratings from key West African nations, including Ghana, Cote d’Ivoire, and Senegal.
Meanwhile, the USA experienced a decline in its approval ratings across Africa, slipping from 59% to 56% in 2023. Despite registering positive gains in some countries like Ghana and Cote d’Ivoire, the overall median approval of the USA dipped by three points. This setback is attributed to sharp declines in approval ratings in countries like Uganda, the Gambia, and Kenya.
Germany also witnessed a modest improvement in its leadership image, rising from 51% to 54%, placing it on par with the USA. However, Russia remained the least popular among the four global powers mentioned in the report, despite a slight increase in its median approval rating to 42%.
