In 2024, the number of Chinese contract workers in Africa rose to 90,793, a roughly 4% increase from the previous year. Large-scale projects backed by China are drawing workers to nations like Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, though political instability in some areas keeps others away.
According to data from the China Africa Research Initiative (CARI) at Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, Africa hosted 90,793 Chinese workers on contracted projects and labor services in 2024, up about 4% from 87,078 the year before. This rise is fueled by accelerating investments, largely from Chinese state-owned enterprises, targeting key countries across the continent.
Last year, nearly half of all such workers were concentrated in five nations: Guinea (11,071), the Democratic Republic of Congo (9,694), Egypt (8,170), Angola (7,444), and Nigeria (6,035). Projects like Guinea's Simandou iron ore venture, part of the Belt and Road Initiative, are major draws.
CARI notes that these figures cover only personnel on formal state contracts, excluding broader informal migrants such as traders and shopkeepers. As investments continue to flow, worker numbers are increasing in these hubs, though political instability remains a barrier in some regions. Analysts in Beijing, including Kai Xue, highlight how this trend underscores deepening economic ties between China and Africa.
