China says it's going to bring jobs and infrastructure to Africa but at what cost.

Hello this is the Marketplace morning report and we're live from the BBC World Service.

I'm Leanna Byrne. Good morning.

China is stepping up its game in Africa

promising nearly 51 billion dollars in new funding and promising to create a

million jobs. At a summit in Beijing Presidenting Ping announced plans for more infrastructure projects and investments in clean energy.

But the UN warns that without better debt relief, African nations could face serious social unrest.

The BBC's Laura Bicker is in Beijing.

Hi Laura.

Hello, how are you doing?

Good, Laura, I mean, what motivated China to increase this funding and infrastructure commitments to Africa.

Look I think this is about three things for China.

Firstly, I think it wants to portray itself as the champion of the developing world

and we heard that today from President Xi Jinping.

I think secondly, this is about influence in Africa for China.

Right now, I mean Africa is rich in resources, it has minerals, it has oil, you've got the likes of the US,

many European nations all vying for business and investments right across Africa.

There's a little bit of a confidence issue because before the pandemic China had

invested millions in various projects, roads, railways, bridges, and during the pandemic when their economy

went into a bit of a slump, China's money flow kind of started to ease up and that has left many projects in a stalled state.

And thirdly it's all about extending their built and road initiatives across Africa. This is this new Silk Road project set up by

President Xi the idea that it will be easier to do trade with various countries if

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