Corruption, pollution and exploitation: China’s push into Africa
In total, the Chinese have invested £2.3 billion into Sierra Leone since the early 1970s.
The country’s experience with China is common to much of Africa. While the US and its allies have been busy enjoying the end of the Cold War, China has spent much of the past 30 years putting down roots across the African continent.
Through its Belt and Road initiative, China has built infrastructure throughout Africa and established lucrative supply chains to several dozen nations. Over the past two decades, China has invested £123.85 billion in sub-Saharan Africa, research suggests.
But this expansion into Africa has not always been positive, despite the vital investment it brings. In Sierra Leone, deception, corruption and intimidation, as with the British in the 1800s, have all been deployed to advance and consolidate the Chinese agenda.
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Local fishing boat sails in front of Chinese trawlers sitting at anchor off Tombo port, Sierra Leone.
Fisherman landing his catch, Tombo Port, Sierra Leone.
Fishermen landing their catch, Tombo Port, Sierra Leone.
"Land-grabbers" burn trees in Western Area National Park to make space for housing, Sierra Leone.
Fishermen landing their catch, Tombo Port, Sierra Leone.
Chinese teacher Sylvia from the Confucius Institute with student Aisha learning a Chinese opera for a competition. Fourah Bay College Primary School, Freetown.
Chinese workers quarrying granite at for the Hongtai company, Comfort Bridge in the Western Area National Park.
Ranger Prince Dudbuya leaps over granite blocks quarried by the Hongtai company at Comfort Bridge in the Western Area National Park.
A stall selling electrical items at Tombo Port south of Freetown. All manufactured in China.
Chinese workers quarrying granite at for the Hongtai company, Comfort Bridge in the Western Area National Park.
Chinese workers quarrying granite at for the Hongtai company, Comfort Bridge in the Western Area National Park.
Park ranger Prince Dudbuya at the Hongtai Company, granite quarry, Comfort Bridge in the Western Area National Park.
Unarmed rangers in front of a dismantled illegal mining outpost in the Western Area National Park, Sierra Leone.
A man proudly displays his winnings, Grand Leone Casino, Freetown Sierra Leone.
A ranger stands amid trees burned bay "land-grabbers" below the Guam Dam in the Western Area National Park.
A soldier stands guard above Guma Dam in the heart of the Western Area National Park, Sierra Leone.
A child plays on Black Johnson Beach South of Freetown. The beach is being developed as a port for Chinese fishing boats.
Chinese quarrying company activity, Huaxing Quarries, in the buffer zone of the Western Area National Park.
Chinese quarrying company equipment, Huaxing Quarries, in the buffer zone of the Western Area National Park.
Chinese quarrying company activity, Huaxing Quarries, in the buffer zone of the Western Area National Park.
Chinese quarrying company activity, Huaxing Quarries, in the buffer zone of the Western Area National Park.