China's Africa Strategy Shifts: Wang Yi's Tour Reveals Pragmatic Recalibration

• Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi's 2026 Africa tour marked the 36th consecutive New Year visit, maintaining a long-standing diplomatic tradition.
• The tour, including stops in Ethiopia, Tanzania, and Lesotho, but notably excluding Somalia, signaled a recalibration of China's engagement strategy.
• China is shifting from mega-loans to trade, investment, and industrial cooperation, emphasizing 'high-quality' Belt and Road projects and zero-tariff access for African exports.
• The omission of Somalia highlighted China's increased focus on risk assessment, security stability, and avoidance of deep military entanglement.
• China aims to position itself as a multilateral partner, supporting African institutions like the AU and offering an alternative development framework to Western models.

Why It Matters: China is adapting its Africa strategy, moving towards pragmatic engagement with a focus on trade, investment, and risk assessment.