Concerns are related to growing debts and very possible dependence on Chinese investments, negative environmental impacts of Chinese investments, and poor working conditions and labor rights in Chinese-owned companies.
In recent years the Zambian government has become increasingly critical of Chinese investments and has raised concerns about the level of debt and the terms of loans provided by China. Also, the South African government and civil society groups have raised concerns about the impact of Chinese investments on local industries and job creation. The Nigerian government too, has raised concerns about the environmental impacts of Chinese investments, particularly in the extractive industries, and the lack of transparency in investment deals.
Another, maybe the most popular, example of African countries becoming more cautious and vigilant against the potential negative impacts of Chinese investments is the dismissal of the project of The Nairobi-Mombasa Standard Gauge Railway which was to be funded by the Chinese government. The project faced opposition from environmental activists who argued that it would negatively impact sensitive ecosystems and wildlife habitats along the route. In 2018, a Kenyan court ruled that the environmental impact assessment carried out by the government was insufficient and that the project would cause significant harm to the environment, leading to the project being dismissed.
In the cases of Sudan, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, China’s investments have been criticized for being insensitive to the local political and social situation and for exacerbating the existing conflicts or tensions.