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Economic transformation in Africa: What is the role of Chinese firms?
Author(s) -
Calabrese Linda,
Tang Xiaoyang
Publication year - 2023
Publication title -
journal of international development
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.533
H-Index - 66
eISSN - 1099-1328
pISSN - 0954-1748
DOI - 10.1002/jid.3664
Subject(s) - china , investment (military) , face (sociological concept) , economic transformation , balance (ability) , transformation (genetics) , foreign direct investment , economic system , economic reform , business , economic geography , development economics , economics , political science , politics , sociology , medicine , social science , biochemistry , chemistry , macroeconomics , law , physical medicine and rehabilitation , gene
African countries face an economic transformation gap. Given the large and growing Chinese presence on the African continent, a fundamental question is whether Chinese firms contribute to, or hinder, economic transformation in Africa. This article conducts a scoping review of over one hundred sources, examining the pathways through which Chinese firms can affect economic transformation. On balance, the literature points to a positive role of Chinese firms. Africa–China trade leads to mixed results, while Chinese investment and infrastructure construction are found to contribute positively to transformation. Chinese firms are also found to support capacity building, spillovers and innovation in African countries.