by SAVIOUS KWINIKA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – GROWING voices across Africa are condemning what they describe as China’s glaring double standards: extracting vast mineral wealth from the continent while denying Africans equal treatment, respect, and meaningful development partnerships.
The outrage intensified after Beijing announced visa-free 30-day entry for citizens of Australia, France, Canada, and the United Kingdom (UK), following high-level diplomatic visits, while most African countries remain excluded.
This, critics argue, is despite Africa being one of China’s most strategic resource suppliers.
Africa provides China with some of the world’s most critical minerals powering modern industry.
These include cobalt for electric vehicle batteries; rare earth elements essential for electronics, defense systems, and renewable energy; lithium for batteries and energy storage; platinum for catalytic converters and hydrogen fuel technologies; and copper, the backbone of electrification, power grids, and electric vehicles.
China also extracts and exports African gold used for monetary reserves and electronics, phosphate rock essential for global food security, uranium for nuclear energy, and bauxite for aluminum used in aerospace, construction, and transport.
Diamonds, manganese, nickel, chromium, iron ore, tantalum, vanadium, zinc, tin, coal, and silver further feed Chinese industrial growth. Yet communities where these minerals are mined often remain impoverished, underdeveloped, and environmentally scarred.
Leading the criticism is Pan-African award-winning journalist Hopewell Chin’ono, who accused China of exploiting Africa while showing little respect for its people.
“British citizens can now go to China without a visa, yet China continues to loot African resources for a song, while only two African countries, Mauritius and Seychelles, enjoy visa-free access to China,” Chin’ono said.
He added that African leaders bear responsibility for tolerating this imbalance.
“You then have African countries and dictatorships calling China ‘all-weather friends,’ yet their citizens still need visas to enter China. What exactly is wrong with African leadership? Is it ignorance or a complete lack of pride and confidence in themselves?”
Chin’ono argued that if forced to choose between Africa and the West, Beijing would always prioritize Western partners.
“The reason is simple. The West knows its worth and adds value to its relationship with China, while many African leaders only know how to sell their countries’ resources cheaply,” he said.
He further accused China of operating a two-tier trade system, dumping low-quality goods in Africa while exporting premium products to Western markets.
Chin’ono recounted a discussion with a Chinese businessman in London who questioned why Africans expect respect when, in his view, they appoint incompetent ministers.
He cited Zimbabwe’s ICT minister, contrasting her background with that of China’s ICT leadership, to illustrate what he described as unequal engagement capacity.
“This is why China has no time for serious engagement with many African states,” Chin’ono charged.
“It treats Africa as a resource plantation, a place to extract cheap natural resources and a dumping ground where money is paid to corrupt politicians, not as an equal partner deserving of respect.”
Similar sentiments were echoed by Wycliffee Marimira, who said, “A unified Africa can challenge this status quo, but unfortunately we have leaders who are corrupt and desperate to sell our minerals at mediocre prices.”
Wesley Mahachi added that the problem goes beyond pride.
“China does not respect Africa because Africa lacks bargaining power, which comes from industries, credible institutions, domestic value addition, and disciplined leadership,” he said.
Brighton Mujaji highlighted lost value, stating, “Most Zimbabweans think lithium is only for batteries, yet it powers smartphones, electric cars, and electronics. China takes this high-value mineral for almost nothing, creating jobs and boosting its economy.”
Daniel Dube argued that economic strength drives China’s choices. “It’s not surprising China offers visa-free travel to Britain. Their economy is stronger than Africa’s,” he said.
Jamali Jay Ngoma concluded that Africa’s crisis is rooted in leadership failure, saying civilian governments have historically stalled economic and political progress, leaving the continent vulnerable to exploitation.
Together, these voices paint a stark picture of a continent rich in resources yet shortchanged in returns, respect, and sovereignty.
– CAJ News