Pursuits of development or harbinger of dependency? A comparative analysis of Chinese interests in Bangladesh and the African continent

This paper presents a comparative, cross-regional analysis of Chinese investment modalities in Bangladesh and Africa, elucidating the intricate interplay between geo-economic and geopolitical dynamics that shape domestic governance structures and geopolitical orientations in each region. The study employs a qualitative, longitudinal, and comparative design, grounded in secondary data synthesis, to investigate whether Chinese capital inflows facilitate sustainable development or induce debt dependency, particularly within the context of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). Though global debates have critically interrogated Chinese external engagements, systematic comparative analyses examining their differentiated developmental implications and multifaceted consequences across Bangladesh and Africa remain limited. Addressing this gap, the research examines how Bangladesh’s geostrategic positioning and Africa’s resource-rich profile generate distinct investment patterns and developmental outcomes. The findings reveal that while Chinese financing accelerates infrastructure modernization and enhances trade connectivity in both regions, it simultaneously exacerbates debt sustainability challenges, heightening vulnerabilities to debt entrapment. The analysis underscores the necessity for prudent debt governance frameworks, strategic geopolitical balancing, and diversification of financing sources to safeguard policy autonomy and developmental sovereignty. The study concludes with pragmatic policy recommendations that reconcile Bangladesh’s immediate growth objectives with long-term economic resilience imperatives.