Assessing Chinese Manufacturing Investments in East Africa: Drivers, Challenges, and Opportunities

Image: Flickr, Apec
Image: Flickr, Apec

Of all the countries in Africa, Tanzania as enjoyed one of the most extensive economic linkages with China in part because of its political stability as well as its historical solidarity with China during the socialist era.

More recently, Kenya has also witnessed a surge in incoming Chinese investments, due to its comparative strength in economic development and its geographical advantage as the focal point in the extension of China’s Belt and Road Initiative to Africa. In order to investigate the motivations, patterns, and the potential for knowledge transfer of Chinese investment in Africa, we conducted scoping studies in the two countries between 2016 and 2018, surveying Chinese investments in the manufacturing and agro-processing industries in Tanzania and Kenya.

The views expressed in this publication/article are those of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views of the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA).

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