Entering the dragon’s den: contemporary risks and opportunities of China’s belt and road initiative for Africa

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Date
2023
Authors
de Kluiver, Jana
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University of the Free State
Abstract in other languages 𝘚𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘭𝘭 𝘥𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘬𝘢𝘢𝘯𝘴
Abstract
𝑬𝒏𝒈𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒉 China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), launched in 2013, has emerged as a prominent driver of Sino-African relations, with the potential to significantly impact Africa's economy. This study critically examines the contemporary risks and opportunities of the BRI for Africa, aiming to contribute to the academic discourse on the effects of this initiative in the region. This investigation sheds light on the complex dynamics at play by exploring the potential implications for economic growth, development strategies, and long-term engagements. Through an in-depth analysis of the opportunities offered by the BRI, including infrastructure development, industrialisation, and digital development, as well as an examination of the associated risks related to debt sustainability, security, and dependency, this research provides valuable insights into the BRI's impact on African nations. The findings emphasise the need for African stakeholders and decision-makers to carefully assess the trade-offs between opportunities and risks. Employing a qualitative methodological approach grounded in various international political economy theories, this study offers nuanced analysis and recommendations. Ultimately, this research underscores that while the BRI holds immense potential for Africa, strategic risk management and tailored approaches are essential to maximise the benefits and navigate the challenges in this multifaceted landscape. ___________________________________________________________________
𝑨𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒌𝒂𝒂𝒏𝒔 China se gordel-en-pad-initiatief (GPI), soos geloods in 2013, is 'n prominente drywer van Sino-Afrika betrekkinge, met die potensiaal om ‘n aansienlike impak op Afrika se ekonomie te hê. Hierdie studie ondersoek krities die kontemporêre risiko's en geleenthede van die GPI vir Afrika en dra daarmee by tot die akademiese diskoers oor die effekte van hierdie inisiatief in die streek. Hierdie ondersoek werp lig op die komplekse dinamika wat betrokke is deur 'n omvattende ondersoek van die moontlike implikasies vir ekonomiese groei, ontwikkelingsstrategieë en langtermynbetrokkenheid. Deur 'n deeglike analise van die geleenthede wat deur die BPI gebied word, insluitende infrastruktuurontwikkeling, industrialisering en digitale vooruitgang, tesame met 'n grondige ondersoek van geassosieerde risiko's soos skuldvolhoubaarheid, sekuriteit en afhanklikheid, bied hierdie navorsing waardevolle insigte in die impak van die GPI op Afrikalande. Die bevindinge beklemtoon die noodsaaklikheid van noukeurige assessering en oorweging van die ooreenkoms tussen geleenthede en risiko's vir Afrika-insethouers en besluitnemers. Deur 'n kwalitatiewe metodologiese benadering te gebruik wat gewortel is in verskeie internasionale politieke ekonomiese teorieë, bied hierdie studie goed deurdagte analise en waardevolle aanbevelings. Uiteindelik beklemtoon hierdie navorsing dat, terwyl die GPI groot potensiaal vir Afrika inhou, dit noodsaaklik is om strategiese risikobestuur en pasgemaakte benaderings te volg om maksimum voordeel te behaal en die uitdagings in hierdie veelsydige landskap te hanteer. ___________________________________________________________________
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Dissertation (M.A. (Political Science))--University of the Free State, 2023
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