Chinese weapons supplier Norinco expands influence in West Africa, challenging Russia and France
- Norinco has opened a new sales office in Senegalese capital, Dakar, as it seeks to increase its reach in Africa
- Russian sanctions and growing anti-French sentiment has left a gap in the market for the supply of arms and other military products
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Paul Nantulya, a China specialist at the Africa Centre for Strategic Studies in Washington, said that initially China was reticent to be seen as challenging French military influence in West Africa, especially in former French colonies.
Chinese ties were complicated by linguistic barriers. However, these impediments had slowly been overcome and Norinco in particular had been at the front of China’s efforts to build and expand military and security ties, Nantulya said.
He said there had been growing militarisation in aspects of Chinese-African engagement as well as a growing willingness by Chinese defence firms to more boldly challenge their Western counterparts for business, influence, strengthened partnerships and to position China as a partner of choice.
David Shinn, a China-Africa expert and professor at George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, said Norinco had been a major arms supplier to African countries for many years and working constantly to increase sales across the continent.
“The new office in Dakar is part of this wider effort,” Shinn said.
He said Russia had historically been the main arms supplier to Africa but the war in Ukraine had reduced its ability to do this, opening the door for Chinese arms manufacturers, including Norinco, to increase market share at the expense of Russian companies.
“China is trying to increase both the quantity and sophistication of weapons that it sells to African countries,” Shinn said. “These deals sometimes result in long-term supply and training arrangements that lead to increased security cooperation between African militaries and the PLA [People’s Liberation Army].”
Luke Patey, a senior researcher at the Danish Institute for International Studies, said China had established a strong foothold in Africa’s arms scene and Norinco was at the forefront of those effects.
“The rise of new conflicts and insurgencies on the continent produces expanding business opportunities for Chinese arms dealers,” Patey said.
Regional offices like Norinco’s new outfit in Senegal, he said, provided a steady environment to sell weaponry, equipment and vehicles to both stable regional governments but also those under siege, such as in Mali.
Patey said that since arms require training, parts and servicing, Norinco’s new deals would deepen China’s reach in West Africa and elsewhere for years to come.
Francois Vrey, a professor of military science and research coordinator at the Security Institute for Governance and Leadership in Africa at Stellenbosch University, said armament companies opened offices where they viewed potential markets, and to offer support to clients buying their products. He said the latter then became part of packages offered to clients.