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China’s Financial and Aid Flows into Africa and their Effects

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Foreign Capital Flows and Economic Development in Africa

Abstract

China’s capital flow into Africa revived in the 1990s and has often chosen strategically the key sectors for investment, such as minerals and construction. This chapter evaluates the motives for China’s investing abroad and the issues it raises. We present a classification of Chinese engagements in Africa, ranging from China hardly playing a role in certain countries to Chinese companies deeply involved in at least one strategic sector. Evidence from two case studies—Uganda and Ethiopia—shows that both countries welcome Chinese investments but do not want Chinese retail traders (Uganda) or too many Chinese workers (Ethiopia).

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van Dijk, M.P. (2017). China’s Financial and Aid Flows into Africa and their Effects. In: Wamboye, E., Tiruneh, E. (eds) Foreign Capital Flows and Economic Development in Africa. Palgrave Macmillan, New York. https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53496-5_3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/978-1-137-53496-5_3

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