A new study at IDS is looking at China’s private sector investment in Africa and assessing its significance. Questions looked at include the extent to which this investment is based on business logic and how far is it promoted by the Chinese Government as part of its broader relationship with Africa? And, as Chinese firms are positive about prospects in Africa and willing to make investments, what does this tell us about their perceptions of the investment climate in particular Africa countries?

The study’s objective is to contribute to development in Africa - it will contribute to the capacity of African governments to enable more effective promotion and management of investment inflows from China, particularly with respect to local capacity building and technology transfers.

Collaboration with Chinese partners

In a collaborative effort with researchers from the China-Africa Business Council (CABC) and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (CASS), an extensive survey of senior corporate attitudes was undertaken with in-depth interviews conducted with Chinese business, Chinese Embassy officials in Africa and UNDP representatives in Ghana, Nigeria and Madagascar. In these interviews, a range of issues were discussed such as China and development policy, the implementation of the Chinese government’s ‘Going Global’ policy, the motivation to invest in Africa and the pull and push factors affecting Chinese business decisions to invest.

Read some more here, though the research is not complete yet. There are plenty of other studies being undertaken right now about China in Africa..some looking at economic impacts, some social impacts, some political impacts…and more besides; all make for interesting reading for those trying to work out whether the title of this post is good or bad for Africa.