Why are Chinese banks investing in airports in Africa and who are they?

Why are Chinese banks investing in airports in Africa and who are they?

Although China does not exactly invite external participation in its own airport development programmes, and finances them publicly at a regional and national level, it is very keen to be involved in other countries' projects around the world, where - and this is the key point - that wins it kudos and the 'soft power' that paints it as a benefactor. That way it can assert economic influence in other fields, and particularly the mining of resourc…