China Belt and Road Initiative: Give-and-Take of Infrastructure Development in the North Africa Subregion

William G Dzekashu,J Ndumbe Anyu

doi:10.5296/wjbm.v7i1.18258

Abstract

It is not a secret that Africa is richly endowed with raw materials, which has raised the stakes for foreign interests. The amplification of these riches has created a sense of urgency in developed nations to enter partnerships to have access to the resources. North Africa, though more advance than its sub-Saharan neighbors falls in the essential corridor of the Belt and Roads Initiative (BRI); and thus, requires infrastructure improvement to meet the overall BRI agenda. This yearning for infrastructure development in Africa has generally been met by China’s search for natural resources. The BRI is that infrastructure investment platform that allows for connectivity between member nations. This semi-systematic literature review identifies and appraises relevant research and collects and analyzes data about the impact of BRI on development in this subregion. Even though the BRI has shown some evidence of constructive growth in infrastructure connectivity, the opaque nature of the engagements has been the subject of harsh criticism; with some critics describing China’s motive as an attempt to recolonize Africa. Chinese partnerships in Africa have resulted in major investments and credit flows providing the much-needed resources to the BRI member countries to implement the very much needed development schemes, despite the main challenge that remains—sustenance of these extensive projects. The most significant implication of the BRI has been the concern about a possible conflict between China and the US. A key to averting open conflict between China and the US is through an alliance and coordinated response by Europe and the US.

Highlights

Africa is known for its abundance of rich natural resources that serve as raw materials for finished goods the world over
The continent is estimated to comprise over 90% of the world‘s platinum and cobalt supply, nearly 75% of the world's coltan, 67% of the world‘s manganese supply, half of the world's gold supply, 35% of the world's uranium supply (Maverick, 2020)—and 9.6% of the world global oil output. These estimates of abundance of resources have raised the stakes for foreign exploitation—turning Africa to an attractive battleground for global powers who have varying quid pro quo interests in the continent ranging from investment, military dominance, infrastructure development, diplomacy, soft power, trade, and geopolitics
The macroeconomic questions as to how constructive the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been complex, the appreciation tends to focus on the suspicions by leading economic players who may not understand China‘s intentions

Summary

Introduction

Africa is known for its abundance of rich natural resources that serve as raw materials for finished goods the world over. The continent is estimated to comprise over 90% of the world‘s platinum and cobalt supply, nearly 75% of the world's coltan, 67% of the world‘s manganese supply, half of the world's gold supply, 35% of the world's uranium supply (Maverick, 2020)—and 9.6% of the world global oil output These estimates of abundance of resources have raised the stakes for foreign exploitation—turning Africa to an attractive battleground for global powers who have varying quid pro quo interests in the continent ranging from investment, military dominance, infrastructure development, diplomacy, soft power, trade, and geopolitics. Africa is important strategically because of the 54 votes in the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) that these global powers use for diplomatic scores The amplification of these riches has created a sense of urgency in developed nations to seek partnerships for the exploitation of the resources in return for infrastructure financing.

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