Chinas Political and Economic Strategies in Francophone Africa: Comparative Case Studies of Senegal and the DRC

Chinas engagement with Africa has attracted growing scholarly attention in recent decades, yet Francophone African countries have been less examined despite its historical ties with France and its increasing interaction with China. This paper examines the cases of Senegal and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as representative examples of Chinas multifaceted presence in West and Central Africa. By examining a range of academic literature, policy reports, and data sources, the paper looks at Chinas economic, political, and cultural initiatives in both nations. It evaluates the applicability of dependency theory, neo-colonial perspectives, and soft power frameworks to assess the nature of these interactions. A comparative approach further reveals the persistence of Frances influence and the complex triangular dynamics shaping the region. The findings suggest that Chinas engagement neither fully replaces French dominance nor constitutes a straightforward neo-colonial project, but rather reshapes existing patterns of external dependence in diverse ways. This research provides a deeper understanding of Chinas evolving role in Francophone Africa and its implications for African development and autonomy.