Nigeria, Feb. 5 -- For the past three decades, Beijing has started the year by sending its foreign minister to Africa, signalling Chinese commitment to the region. But China faces rising competition; increasingly, other anti-democratic powers are eyeing economic, political and military partnerships in Africa.

With United States (US) hegemony in decline, a splintering international order has created new openings in Africa for Iran, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), which have invested heavily in trade and development initiatives. Newer entrants include Hungary, Saudi Arabia and Qatar. Democratic India, under Hindu populist strongman Narendra Modi, has also fixed its gaze on Africa.

This development presents latent risks,...