Chinese foreign minister pledges military aid for Africa

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi on Thursday pledged Beijing's full support and military aid for the world's poorest continent as he wrapped up his Africa tour in Nigeria.

Wang began an Africa tour on January 6, visiting Namibia, the Republic of Congo and Chad before winding up his tour in Nigeria, where he held talks with Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Foreign Minister in the capital Abuja.

He pledged $136 million in military aid to Africa and said China would help train 6,000 troops and 1,000 police officers across the continent.

One of China's key trade partners in sub-Saharan Africa, Nigeria exports gas and oil to Beijing and imports manufactured products from the country.

Trade between the two nations amounted to $22.6 billion in 2023, according to Abuja.