African nations now send more money to China than they receive in new loans

The Chinese-built standard gauge railway abruptly ends at Murtoto in Suswa, Kenya.

Photo credit: Robert Gichira | Nation Media Group

China's role as a leading financier to developing nations has shifted over the past decade, with new loans to poorer countries falling sharply while debt repayments continue to rise, according to analysis released by ONE Data.

The inaugural report by the ONE Data initiative found that many low- and middle-income countries — particularly in Africa — are now transferring more funds to China in debt payments than they receive in fresh financing from the world's second-largest economy.