The growing Chinese influence on the African geopolitical landscape is probably one of the most significant variables in the region development. The driving force behind China's influence is still the ongoing intensification of trade and economic ties. The endless flow of Chinese investments in the economy of the states, initiatives to develop transport infrastructure - these are the processes that are primarily in the focus of attention.  Among the studies of Chinese economic policy on the continent, the narrative of the Chinese government dominance in the processes of making decisions, coordinating investment flows and implementing major projects prevails. The image of "China, Inc." - a single actor that makes and implements its decisions through multiple organizational mechanisms - is familiar to modern Sinology and by default extends to the study of strategy in the African continent. On the other hand, it is impossible not to mention studies, on the contrary, which emphasize the wide participation of the Chinese private sector in the largest projects. However, while recognizing the broad participation of the PRC private sector in the implementation of the economic strategy in Africa, we cannot remove the issue of the decisive coordinating role of the PRC government. Using a number of examples, we show when analyzing the degree of participation and freedom in the implementation of their own initiatives by private companies from the PRC, the key issue is the problem of determining the ultimate beneficiaries of the companies and their connection with the state institutions of the PRC.