Measuring Influence: a New Index of Chinese Economic Engagement in Africa

This article introduces the China–Africa Engagement Index ( CAEI ), a novel composite measure designed to systematically track and compare Chinese economic engagement across African Union member states from 2003 to 2022. Drawing on trade and investment data from the China Africa Research Initiative, the index aggregates Chinese exports, imports, and foreign direct investment to offer both equal-weighted and 40/40/20 weighted versions, as well as per capita variants. The CAEI reveals both familiar and underexplored dynamics, confirming the prominence of countries like South Africa and Nigeria while highlighting smaller but strategically significant partners such as Djibouti and Gabon. Longitudinal analysis demonstrates shifting regional and sectoral patterns in Chinese engagement, alongside growing variation in actor types and project models. The index offers a replicable, data-driven framework for scholars and policymakers seeking to evaluate China’s evolving role on the continent and its implications for African agency, development strategy, and the geopolitics of infrastructure.