Taiwan must strategically engage Africa through diplomacy and economic initiatives to counter China’s growing influence and strengthen its global presence.

The newly elected president of Taiwan, William Lai, began his tenure with visits to Hawaii, Guam, the Marshall Islands, Tuvalu, and Palau—some of the few nations that still maintain formal ties with Taiwan despite Beijing’s growing diplomatic pressure. Lai views these trips as opportunities to champion Taiwan’s commitment to democracy and autonomy on the global stage. Yet conspicuously absent from his itinerary is Africa, a continent largely overlooked in Taiwan’s foreign policy calculus. What consequences does this oversight hold? Can Taiwan reposition itself strategically in Africa despite China’s deepening influence?

Historically, Taiwanese leaders have rarely prioritized Africa, focusing instead on regions closer to home. President Tsai Ing-wen’s New Southbound Policy (NSP), launched in 2016, sought to deepen ties with Asia-Pacific nations by enhancing cooperation across economic and technological sectors. This initiative underscored Taiwan’s regional priorities but left Africa in the shadows.

The last high-profile visit to Africa came in 2023 when President Tsai traveled to Eswatini, one of the few remaining countries that recognize Taiwan diplomatically. Eswatini has maintained this relationship since the 1960s and shows no signs of reversing course. However, Tsai’s presidency saw Taiwan lose over five allies, including the Solomon Islands, in 2019, which shifted allegiance to Beijing under the One China principle. Today, Taiwan has just 12 diplomatic allies—a stark reflection of its geopolitical isolation.

Nonetheless, Taiwan maintains economic ties with several African nations. By 2020, Taiwanese investment in Africa reached $192.41 million, marking a notable increase since 2013. Trade with Eswatini alone amounted to $12.7 million that year, bolstered by an economic cooperation agreement allowing access to over 100 products. Yet, these economic engagements remain modest compared to Beijing’s expansive Belt and Road Initiative.

China’s dominance in Africa stems from a political shift dating back to 1971 when the One China principle gained international acceptance. As Beijing ramped up investments and development projects across the continent, Taiwan’s influence waned. Kristina Kironska, Advocacy Director at CEIAS, articulated this in her 2022 article, “How Taiwan Lost Africa.” She argued that Taiwan’s diminishing presence is a consequence of China’s ability to outmaneuver Taipei diplomatically through strategic economic enticements.

President Tsai’s rejection of the One China principle and the 1992 Consensus has only heightened cross-strait tensions. Beijing now labels Taiwan as a “separatist group,” while Tsai insists on Taiwan’s sovereignty. In this climate of rivalry, China has redoubled its efforts to court Taiwan’s few allies in Africa, making it ever more difficult for Taipei to secure recognition from other nations.

Despite these challenges, Africa presents untapped potential for Taiwan. President Lai could consider an “Africa Project” modeled on the NSP to diversify Taiwan’s foreign partnerships. Such a project would prioritize business and education initiatives, aligning with Africa’s economic transformation. According to the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, several African nations—Niger, Senegal, Rwanda, and Côte d’Ivoire, among others—are experiencing rapid economic growth. Taiwan’s Africa-focused business association (TABA), established 18 years ago, could serve as a platform to foster deeper trade relations, enabling Taiwanese enterprises to meet local market demands.

In parallel, Taiwan could expand its scholarship programs and exchange opportunities for African students, replicating successful partnerships with Eswatini. Another strategic move is to build a network of informal diplomatic offices across the continent. Taiwan currently operates only five such offices, including an embassy in Eswatini. Expanding this network, as seen with the reopening of its representation in Côte d’Ivoire, could enhance Taiwan’s visibility and influence.

China’s “dollar diplomacy” will remain a formidable challenge. In late 2024, for instance, South Africa relocated Taiwan’s Taipei Liaison Office from Pretoria to Johannesburg—a gesture framed as an economic rather than political realignment, under Beijing’s watchful eye. Yet such obstacles should not deter Taiwan from asserting its presence in Africa through creative diplomacy and economic initiatives.

Africa’s rising prominence on the global stage offers Taiwan an opportunity to redefine its role in the international order. By embracing a more balanced foreign policy that includes Africa, Taiwan can counter its marginalization and strengthen its position in global geopolitics. The success of this strategy, however, depends on President Lai’s willingness to invest in the continent’s potential and build partnerships that go beyond mere recognition.