China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African States

This study sought to test the impact of China’s infrastructure investment on economic growth in selected African states. Many comparative studies have shown the positive role that infrastructural loans plays in supporting economic growth. However, for Africa, the role of China’s infrastructure proje...

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Main Author: Courage Mlambo
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-06-01
Series:Economies
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/10/7/154
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author Courage Mlambo
author_facet Courage Mlambo
author_sort Courage Mlambo
collection DOAJ
description This study sought to test the impact of China’s infrastructure investment on economic growth in selected African states. Many comparative studies have shown the positive role that infrastructural loans plays in supporting economic growth. However, for Africa, the role of China’s infrastructure projects has mixed views with regards to its contribution to growth and development. A survey of the literature showed that the central question about Chinese infrastructural loans is whether the infrastructural projects are beneficial or detrimental to Africa. Currently, there is no settled opinion as to whether (or not) Africa is benefiting from the Chinese economic relations. This study was quantitative, and we used panel data to achieve our objectives. The study employed annual panel data for 15 African countries covering the period of 2000–2017. The Pooled Mean Group, Mean Group, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares, and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares panel techniques were used for estimation purposes. The main conclusion from the quantitative analysis of China’s infrastructural loans in Africa is that China’s efforts in developing infrastructure are translating into economic growth. This study provides evidence that China’s engagement in Africa could be beneficial, given the positive relationship between loans and economic growth.
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spelling doaj.art-3173c02d6e8c4b1fa92a9be29711094e2023-12-01T22:04:38ZengMDPI AGEconomies2227-70992022-06-0110715410.3390/economies10070154China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African StatesCourage Mlambo0Department of Public Administration and Economics, Mangosuthu University, Durban 4133, South AfricaThis study sought to test the impact of China’s infrastructure investment on economic growth in selected African states. Many comparative studies have shown the positive role that infrastructural loans plays in supporting economic growth. However, for Africa, the role of China’s infrastructure projects has mixed views with regards to its contribution to growth and development. A survey of the literature showed that the central question about Chinese infrastructural loans is whether the infrastructural projects are beneficial or detrimental to Africa. Currently, there is no settled opinion as to whether (or not) Africa is benefiting from the Chinese economic relations. This study was quantitative, and we used panel data to achieve our objectives. The study employed annual panel data for 15 African countries covering the period of 2000–2017. The Pooled Mean Group, Mean Group, Fully Modified Ordinary Least Squares, and Dynamic Ordinary Least Squares panel techniques were used for estimation purposes. The main conclusion from the quantitative analysis of China’s infrastructural loans in Africa is that China’s efforts in developing infrastructure are translating into economic growth. This study provides evidence that China’s engagement in Africa could be beneficial, given the positive relationship between loans and economic growth.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/10/7/154China-Africa relationsinfrastructure developmentloansdebtdebt overhangdebt trap diplomacy
spellingShingle Courage Mlambo
China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African States
Economies
China-Africa relations
infrastructure development
loans
debt
debt overhang
debt trap diplomacy
title China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African States
title_full China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African States
title_fullStr China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African States
title_full_unstemmed China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African States
title_short China in Africa: An Examination of the Impact of China’s Loans on Growth in Selected African States
title_sort china in africa an examination of the impact of china s loans on growth in selected african states
topic China-Africa relations
infrastructure development
loans
debt
debt overhang
debt trap diplomacy
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/10/7/154
work_keys_str_mv AT couragemlambo chinainafricaanexaminationoftheimpactofchinasloansongrowthinselectedafricanstates