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China in Africa: Impacts and prospects for accountable development

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  • Giles Mohan

Abstract

China is the major 'new' player in Africa and impacts on development and politics in numerous ways. The paper sets out an analytical framework which identifies the channels through which China engages with African development and the role the African state plays in mediating these interactions. We then apply this framework to three case studies that are emblematic of differing African state types. Analysis shows that China impacts on African development in multiple ways that go well beyond aid. A feature of this engagement is inter-elite brokerage which tends to bypass domestic channels of accountability and so undermines good governance. That said, in most cases it delivers much needed infrastructure which benefits wider society. Crucially, as civil and political society in Africa has started to contest this elitism we are seeing slightly more transparent attempts to negotiate the relationship. It concludes with an outline of emerging trends and future research themes for the short- to medium–term.

Suggested Citation

  • Giles Mohan, 2012. "China in Africa: Impacts and prospects for accountable development," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-012-12, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    • Handle: RePEc:bwp:bwppap:esid-012-12
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    Cited by:

    1. Nico Olivier, 2014. "Between Contradiction and Co-operation: An Analysis of China’s Evolving Engagement with Africa," Insight on Africa, , vol. 6(1), pages 15-42, January.
    2. Sam Hickey, 2012. "Thinking about the politics of inclusive development: towards a relational approach," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-001-12, GDI, The University of Manchester.
    3. Frederick Golooba-Mutebi & Sam Hickey, 2013. "Investigating the links between political settlements and inclusive development in Uganda: towards a research agenda," Global Development Institute Working Paper Series esid-020-13, GDI, The University of Manchester.

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