IMPACT OF CHINA IN AFRICA

NAME

REG NO.

SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS AND DIPLOMACY

RESEARCH PROPOSAL

SUBMITTED TO:

Riara University

September, 2020
DECLARATION

This research proposal is an original work and has not been presented in any other university

or institution of higher learning.

Date………………………………

Signature…………………………

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Table of Contents

DECLARATION......................................................................................................................ii
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT........................................................................................................iv
LIST OF FIGURES.................................................................................................................v
ABSTRACT.............................................................................................................................vi
1.0 Introduction........................................................................................................................1
1.1 Background Information..................................................................................................1
1.2 Statement of the Problem.................................................................................................3
1.3 Objectives of the Study....................................................................................................3
1.4 Research Questions..........................................................................................................4
1.5 Justification of the Study..................................................................................................4
1.6 Organization of the Study.................................................................................................5
2.0 Methodology.......................................................................................................................6
2.1 Introduction......................................................................................................................6
Exploratory Research.............................................................................................................6
Research Methods..................................................................................................................7
Empirical Data........................................................................................................................7

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1.1: Volume of trade between Africa and China between 2000 and 2015.

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ABSTRACT

As the Asian giant emerges to be an upcoming global power, its relation with the African

continent is a contention on whether it is a collaboration or domination. Pessimists are of the

view that China provides small aid focused on exploiting the continent’s natural resources

and establish a neo-colonialism state. Conversely, the optimists argue that China is focused

on establishing a mutual win-win collaboration which tends to alleviate Africa out of poverty.

This research attempts to evaluate the impact of China in Africa and provide an explanation

of whether the relationship is a collaboration or a domination.

Key words: China, Africa, domination, collaboration.

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1.0 Introduction

1.1 Background Information

Africa has been slowly waking up after years of hibernation after independence. With is

abundance in resources, the continent possesses vast amounts of unexplored resources which

are waiting to be explored. As a result of depleting resources in other regions across the

world, the continent has the ability to rise and become a world economic titan and potentially

a political power as well. With health, infrastructure, education, and other sectors

underdeveloped, the African continent poses as a region of fortunes that are not only

constrained to governments but also the private sector. The unexplored treasures are

attracting the attention of other countries in the world. With trade volumes of more than

USD156 billion in 2013, China has grown to become the continent’s biggest trading partner.

According to The Economist (2015), China ranks second as the biggest trading partner by

USD84.3 billion as of 2013. Besides, the significant trade volume of trade between Africa

and China, the latter is also giving Africa an equally significant sum of financial help. Cheng

(2016) notes that the aid has been increasing over the years. Figure 1 depicts the volume of

trade between the two partners from 2000 until 2015. From the figure, it can be observed that

there has been a potential growth in the trade volumes. The increases are also understood as

increases in interdependency between Africa and China and a strong relationship.

Figure 1.1: Volume of trade between Africa and China between 2000 and 2015.

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Since the beginning of 2000, China has come out as the continent’s major trading partner.

The country’s direct investment in as well as loaning to the continent’s countries have grown

exponentially as well. A mass of Chinese employees have moved to into the continent in the

recent years, with approximations running to almost one million. The Asian country’s

engagement in the continent has undoubtedly resulted to poverty reduction and rapid

economic growth. Growth, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa has been remarkable within the

last ten years. However, growth has witnessed a reduction in pace especially in 2015 and

2016. Both the subsequent slow down and the high levels of growth are linked to the China.

Importantly, the continent’s growth rates are not as remarkable as they should when analyzed

in terms of per-capita since the rate of population growth have also continued to increase at a

rapid pace, almost 3% annually between 2005 and 2015 (Dollar, 2016). Generally, the growth

domestic product (GDP) is an indicator of a country’s growing weight in the global economy.

The per-capita growth is required to uplift the people’s standards of living and alleviate

poverty. The per-capita GDP growth rate of the continent was 2.8% in the wake of the

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millennium, a significant increase of more than 0.6% annual rate in the 1990s (International

Monetary Fund, 1990). Part of the growth is attributed to domestic developments. African

nations have reinforced their macro-economic policies and institutions. Nonetheless, demand

from China for resources such as Zinc, Copper, Iron, oil, among others has resulted to better

trade terms and high volumes of export. The acceleration of the continent’s growth is

essential since it has resulted in a good progress in reducing poverty. The rate of poverty

between 1990 and 2002 in Sub-Saharan Africa has been static. 57% of the continent’s

population lived below the World Bank’s poverty line of USD1.90 a day. However, between

2002 and 2011, the rate dropped by 13%. It is imperative to note that sustained growth is

critical to furthering poverty reduction.

1.2 Statement of the Problem

The complex nature of the poverty issues in the continent cannot be overemphasized, if the

poverty problem can be deemed to stem from one root cause, it is therefore not an issue after

all. The issue of poverty is rooted in multiple and multi-faceted cause for which no one

organization or country can remedy. China, deemed as an emergent economy, has pumped

billions of dollars into the continent thus promoting a win-win remedy which can slightly

ease the poverty rates in the continent. Regardless of the intense level of infrastructure

support which has been accorded to the continent, not much has been studied on the impact

of these endeavors. This study seeks to outline the development phases of the relationship

between the two partners and assess the effect of its activities in the continent. Through this

study, re-examination of the collaboration or domination debate will be undertaken.

1.3 Objectives of the Study

The paper seeks to assess the impact of the relationship between Africa and China from an

economic and historical perspectives. In particular, the study will give a deeper understanding

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about investment, which seems to create possibility for self-standing growth in the continent

like supporting basic infrastructure, education, among others so as to unravel the complexities

and right the dubious assertions made on today’s China-Africa relationship. Additionally, the

study will highlight some historical phases of development between the two partners to

objectively give enlightenment about the nature of the relationship within a historical context.

Furthermore, the study will unveil the phases in the Sino-African relationship and provide an

objective view of the current relationship status between China and Africa and determine if

the method of aid is indeed helping Africans or not.

1.4 Research Questions

1. What is the nature of the relationship between Africa and China?

2. How can China’s presence in the continent be described, theoretically?

3. Is China’s involvement in Africa a collaboration or domination?

1.5 Justification of the Study

The Chinese role in the continent defies the traditional stereotypes as well as the punchy

headlines. The country is a long-established diplomatic partner as well as a new investor in

the country. Its interests in Africa involves not only natural resources but also security, trade,

soft power, and diplomacy issues. Besides, the country is a main aid donor, however, the

mode, scope, and scale of China’s aid practices are not clearly understood and are usually

misquoted by the media. Most analysis of the relationship between the two partners focuses

on what China gets from the partnership-mainly export markets and natural resources. A

number of studies have termed the effects, both negative and positive, that the Chinese

investment and aid policies have had on African states. Nonetheless, few studies have

approached the China-Africa relationship as a two-way dynamic and vibrant association

where the two parties adjust policy initiatives and common perceptions that emanate from the

other. From a theoretical real, the paper will shed more light on the history of the relationship

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between the two partners and the current level of engagement between Africa and China. In

an attempt to characterize the nature of the relationship, this paper seeks to determine if

China has had a positive or a negative effect on the continent, thereby answering the question

of whether the partnership is a domination by China in Africa or a collaboration between

China and Africa.

1.6 Organization of the Study

Chapter 1. This chapter provides an overview and gives a rough idea of what the paper is

about, and also the rationale for conducting the study. The section also introduces the

problem statement as well as the layout of the paper.

Chapter 2. The section gives a literature review of the relationship between the two countries

from a historical context, the current engagement, as well as the different view on the

relationship by commentators across the world. The other objective of this section is to

explore the theories and concepts of other scholars so as to ascertain and present what is new

regarding this study.

Chapter 3. The section contains the methods adopted in the collection of data, the

methodology of analyzing the information as well as the challenges that were experienced in

the process of collecting data. Additionally, the section provides a theoretical framework in

the collection, analysis, and offers readers with a comprehensive insight regarding how data

is collected.

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2.0 Methodology

2.1 Introduction

The section seeks to explain the research methodology adopted in order to provide answers to

the research questions. This entails the data collection instruments like interviews, internet

research, observations and sampling procedures as well as the statistical techniques which

give answers to an issue (Bryman, 2012).

The purpose of any study is to either describe a social phenomenon, explore a new subject, or

explain a cause and effect. Majority of the studies are an integration of the two or more

(Neuman, 2011). Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill (2009) have categorized the purpose of

conducting research into three types-explanatory, descriptive, and exploratory. Every type of

the purpose highlighted specifies a certain format and objective of gathering data.

Nonetheless, Saunders, Lewis, and Thornhill (2009) contend that the distinction among the

various kinds of research are not absolute, thus, the researcher’s study can encompass the

adoption of more than one approach. In light of this study’s research questions, an

exploratory research will be adopted.

Exploratory Research

The objective of an exploratory research design is gain new insights into a situation,

phenomenon, or an event which leads to advanced research (Saunders, Lewis, & Thornhill,

2009). This type of research approach is usually adopted when a researcher does not have a

concise understanding or knowledge of an issue. As a result, this accords a researcher with

the opportunity to come up with a meaningful and succinct theory which can improve

knowledge. Furthermore, this facilitates the easy flow of information as well as allow the

researcher to collect more information and give various perspectives.

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Research Methods

This refers to the forms as well as how information is gathered-quantitative and qualitative

data. This research will adopt an interpretivist approach. The main objective is to offer an

impression of the operations of China in Africa as well as the impact on the continent. The

type of analysis looks for historically situated and culturally derived understandings of the

social world (Hughes, 2016). Further, the approach depends on the analysis of existing

documents and observations. The study seeks to use current theories and concrete data to

advance arguments about the effect of China in Africa. The study seeks to approach the topic

through the triangulation of several sources of information. The triangulation model uses

multiple qualitative and quantitative methods to balance the strengths of other methods as

well as weaknesses inherent in one approach, so as to cross validate and confirm the findings

within one study.

Empirical Data

For this study, both tertiary and secondary data and mostly quantitative data will be used. The

secondary data will be in form of case studies, project reports, and sources from various

contributors like international organizations, governments, as well as independent academics.

Part of the secondary information will be both qualitative and quantitative, thus, conduct a

mixed method technique. Importantly, secondary data will be the main source of data for the

study. Data will be sourced from databases such as Google Scholar and Mendeley. The

purpose of using a variety of sources is to facilitate the analysis of the topic under study from

various viewpoints and thus deepen knowledge and ultimately. Tertiary information will be

in form of encyclopedias. It is imperative to note that the study will focus on particular

aspects of the Chinese engagements (aid and investment) with Africa. The choice is ideal for

answering the research questions.

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 References

Bryman, A. (2012). Social Research Methods.Oxford: Oxford University Press.

Cheng, C. (2016, March 22). Unclear terms blur picture of Chinese aid and development in

Africa. Retrieved from https://www.globaltimes.cn/content/975328.shtml

Dollar, D. (2016). China’s engagement with Africa from natural resources to human

resources. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/wp-

content/uploads/2016/07/Chinas-Engagement-with-Africa-David-Dollar-July-

2016.pdf

Hughes, C. (2016, Mar). Introduction to research methodologies. Retrieved from University

of Warwick.

International Monetary Fund. (1990). 1990 International Monetary Fund. Retrieved from

https://www.imf.org/external/pubs/ft/ar/archive/pdf/ar1990.pdf

Neuman, L. (2011). Social Research Methods: Qualitatitive and quantitative. approaches.

Whitewater: Peason Education.

The Economist. (2015, January 15). One among many. Retrieved from

https://www.economist.com/middle-east-and-africa/2015/01/15/one-among-many

Saunders, M., Lewis, P., & Thornhill, A. (2009). Research Methods for Business Students.

Essex: Pearson Education.