By Héribert-Label Élisée Adjovi – Chairman of the African Journalists’ Caucus for the Global South Community Destiny and Chairman of the Xi’an Think Tank for Sino-African Cooperation and Development
Introduction From January 7 to 12, 2026, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, carried out an African tour in Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho, marking the 36th consecutive year in which Chinese diplomacy has chosen Africa as its first official destination of the year. This visit was part of the commemoration of 70 years of China-Africa relations and reflected Beijing’s determination to strengthen its strategic partnerships with the continent. It combined institutional dialogue with the African Union, security engagement in the Horn of Africa, economic cooperation in East Africa, and inclusive solidarity with smaller African states. Through this tour, China reaffirmed that Africa occupies a central place in its foreign policy and remains an essential partner in building a more balanced and united international order.
Context For the 36th consecutive year, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, Wang Yi, inaugurated the diplomatic year with an African tour (January 7–12, 2026). The stops included Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho, as well as a visit to the headquarters of the African Union in Addis Ababa. This tour coincided with the 70th anniversary of China-Africa relations.
Overall Objectives of the Visit - In Ethiopia: - Strengthening institutional cooperation; - Strategic dialogue with the African Union and Ethiopian authorities to consolidate the role of pan-African institutions; - Support for regional stability and security.
- In Somalia: - Engagement in the country and the Horn of Africa to combat terrorism and support peace processes; - Expansion of economic and technological partnerships.
- In Tanzania: - Promotion of investments in infrastructure, digital technology, and energy, within a South-South cooperation framework; - Advancement of solidarity and inclusive development.
- In Lesotho: - Support for social and energy projects, symbolizing attention to smaller African states.
More broadly, this 36th African tour of China’s Foreign Minister Wang Yi aimed to celebrate 70 years of China-Africa relations, highlighting the continuity and depth of the partnership.
Geostrategic Challenges of Wang Yi’s African Tour 1. Ethiopia – Institutional and Diplomatic Hub - African Union: Beijing strengthens its role with pan-African institutions, consolidating its image as a global partner. - Geographic position: Addis Ababa, seat of the AU, is a strategic anchor point for China in continental governance. - Geopolitical message: Beijing positions itself as an alternative to Western powers in supporting African institutions.
2. Somalia – Security and Influence in the Horn of Africa - Regional stability: China engages in counterterrorism and supports peace processes. - Maritime access: Somalia offers a strategic façade on the Indian Ocean and global shipping routes. - Projection of influence: Beijing seeks to secure its investments and maritime corridors in an unstable zone.
3. Tanzania – Economic Partnership and South-South Cooperation - Infrastructure and energy: Beijing consolidates its presence in major projects (ports, roads, ICT, energy). - Geostrategic position: Tanzania is a key access point to East Africa and the regional market. - South-South narrative: China emphasizes equal cooperation among developing countries, strengthening its soft power.
4. Lesotho – Solidarity and Continental Balance - Attention to small states: Beijing shows that no country is marginalized in its African strategy. - Inclusive development: Support for social and energy projects, symbolizing a balanced approach. - Strategic message: China affirms that its African diplomacy is global, covering both major powers and smaller states.
Wang Yi’s tour illustrates a multidimensional geostrategic strategy—institutional, security, economic, and symbolic—aimed at consolidating China’s role as an indispensable partner for Africa.
Assessment of the 36th African Tour of China’s Foreign Minister In Ethiopia, the visit can be summarized in three main areas: - Strategic dialogue: in-depth exchanges with the African Union to strengthen multilateral cooperation. - Institutional support: firm backing for pan-African structures, consolidating the AU’s role as a central actor. - Diplomatic symbolism: Addis Ababa reaffirmed as Africa’s diplomatic hub, a place of convergence for major China-Africa orientations.
In addition to his visit to the AU headquarters, Minister Wang Yi also met with Ethiopian state authorities.
Highlights of this meeting: - Bilateral dialogue: direct exchanges with the Ethiopian government to consolidate diplomatic and economic relations. - Political support: Beijing reaffirmed its backing for Ethiopia’s stability and development, a key actor in the Horn of Africa. - Economic cooperation: discussions on infrastructure, trade, and investment, continuing already established projects. - Symbolic dimension: the meeting underscored Ethiopia’s importance, not only as the AU’s seat but also as a strategic bilateral partner.
In summary: In Addis Ababa, Wang Yi combined multilateral diplomacy (African Union) and bilateral diplomacy (Ethiopian authorities), reinforcing Ethiopia’s central role in China-Africa relations.
Although Wang Yi was unable to travel to Somalia due to the combination of security risks and diplomatic tensions related to Somaliland, he held a telephone conversation with his Somali counterpart, Ali Mohamed Omar. The focus of their exchange unfolded along three main axes:
- Regional stability: Beijing reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Somalia in consolidating peace and security. - Counterterrorism: strengthened cooperation in the Horn of Africa to combat terrorist and security threats. - Reconstruction and development: support for national reconstruction efforts, with emphasis on social and economic projects. In short: Somalia = security and reconstruction axis, at the heart of the Horn of Africa.
In Tanzania, Wang Yi’s visit focused on the economic and technological axis: - Economic partnerships: consolidation of trade exchanges and Chinese investments in strategic sectors. - Infrastructure: continuation of projects related to transport, ports, and energy networks. With a particular focus on revitalizing the Tanzania-Zambia railway network, a symbol of China's historic commitment to regional and even continental integration of Africa. - Digital and innovation: support for the development of information and communication technologies to drive digital transformation. - Energy: strengthened cooperation in energy projects to support sustainable growth. - South-South dimension: highlighting solidarity and cooperation among developing countries, with Tanzania as a key partner.
In summary: Tanzania = economic and technological engine of the tour, symbol of South-South cooperation.
In Lesotho, Wang Yi’s visit followed a logic of solidarity and balance: - Diplomatic solidarity: Beijing emphasized its commitment to small African states, affirming that every partner matters in China-Africa relations. - Inclusive development: focus on projects aimed at reducing inequalities and fostering shared growth. - Social and energy projects: support for initiatives in education, health, and energy to strengthen local capacities. - Political symbol: the choice of Lesotho illustrates China’s willingness not to limit its cooperation to major regional powers, but to include the entire continent. In summary: Lesotho = solidarity and inclusive development, symbol of attention to small African states.
Conclusion The African tour of Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Ethiopia, Somalia, Tanzania, and Lesotho illustrates the continuity and depth of China-Africa relations, marked by 36 years of diplomatic tradition and the celebration of 70 years of bilateral ties. Moreover: - Institutionally: Ethiopia and the African Union confirm Beijing’s role as an essential partner of pan-African structures. - In terms of security: Somalia and the Horn of Africa become a field of engagement for stability and counterterrorism. - Economically: Tanzania embodies the engine of South-South cooperation, with major projects in infrastructure, digital technology, and energy. - Symbolically: Lesotho reminds that Chinese diplomacy addresses the entire continent, both major powers and small states, in a spirit of solidarity and inclusiveness.
Wang Yi’s tour combined institution, security, economy, and solidarity, affirming Africa’s central place in China’s global strategy and paving the way for sustainable and balanced cooperation.