Role And Impact Of China In Africa’s Socio-economic Development: A Case Study Of Kenya

Abstract

The main objective of this project was to critically assess the role and impacts of China on Africa‟s socio-economic development, with a specific focus on Kenya. The specific objectives of the study were as follows: One, to examine the nature and historical development of China-Africa relations. Two, to examine the key areas of Chinese investment in African countries, particularly in Kenya and three, to critically assess the role and impacts of China on Kenya‟s socio-economic development. This study employed a mixed-method research design, that is, both qualitative and quantitative data was collected and analyzed in this study. The first chapter offers an introduction and background to the study, while the second chapter delves deep into the nature and historical development of China-Africa relations in line with the first objective of the study. In the third chapter, this study outlines and examines the key sectors of investment by China in African countries, and particularly in Kenya in line with the second objective of this study. The fourth chapter of this study critically assesses the role and impact that China has had on Kenya‟s socio-economic development. The fifth chapter presents the data collected and the findings of the study. The findings were that i) China‟s biggest role and impact in Africa has been witnessed in the area of infrastructure with citizens having experienced mixed fortunes as a result. ii) Chinese economic dealings in Kenya and in Africa are hurting small businesses and the manufacturing sectors of most countries which are still in their infancy. iii) Kenyan and African governments and officials are not doing enough to ensure that they are reaping maximum benefits from deals entered into with China. The study also affirmed the premium treatment of African countries by China largely due to the natural and mineral resources which the East Asian nation needs to power its ever-growing economy. This is evidenced by how China invests funds, with mineral and resource-rich nations taking up the lion‟s share of funds. This research also found what while China has made some strides in developing Africa socially, the investment in this sector is far outweighed by the economic investment. It is this study‟s recommendation that Kenyan and African governments employ specific measures and policies so as to reap maximum benefits from their relations with China, as well as ensuring that the continent is self-sustaining instead of pinning national interests on external factors. It is also the recommendation of this study that Kenyan and African governments and their leaders fight corruption as it remains the biggest impediment to her socio-economic development, as well as putting in place relevant policies and measures in order to harness these relations with China. This research also calls for better and more sound policies that protect citizens from over-borrowing and exploitation in deals, especially small business and the manufacturing sector which remains at its infancy on the African continent. In the field of academia, this study recommends that further study be undertaken with the aim of building a stronger, more robust and current body of knowledge and theory that can inform policy and actions undertaken by Kenya and other African countries in order to better harness Sino-Africa relations; as well as inclusion of scholars in policy-making processes to ensure that policies that guide Sino-Kenya and Sino-Africa relations are made from a point of knowledge and expertise.