Impact of One Belt, One Road Initiatives on African Infrastructure Development

Helex Kayembe,Lazarus Obed Livingstone Banda,Xuelian Wu,Jane Thokozani Banda,George N Chidimbah Munthali,Yunjian Lin,Colleen Mbughi

doi:10.4236/oalib.1107102

Abstract

Background: China is one of the developing countries that have witnessed tremendous growth in all sectors of development. One of the strategies that China is using is the reintroduction of the 21st Century Silk Road Economic Belt Development Initiative which moves across the world creating trade partners all around the world. Some of the African countries are among the beneficiaries in this initiative especially in terms of infrastructure development which is ranked behind as compared to other developments. Aim of the Study: This review was aimed at funding out the impacts of OBRI on infrastructure development in African countries. Methods: The data were retrieved from the databases of Scopus, Google Scholars, Web of science with papers that were written in English in the month of September to November 2020. Results: The results of the study indicated that OBRI has positively impacted many participating countries in Africa. However, it is also argued that many African countries over depend on the loans provided through this strategy which acts as a burden. Conclusion: This study recommends that African countries should be underrating clearly the terms of the agreements during the time of signing of the loan agreements by even assessing their capacity to pay back. Besides, African countries should civically educate people on the ownership of these projects for sustainability.

Highlights

Since the onset of its economic reforms and opening up in1978, China has achieved substantial development resulting in GDP growth averaged almost 10% annually, and over 850 million citizens have been catapulted out of poverty
It is argued that many African countries over depend on the loans provided through this strategy which acts as a burden
Based on the available literature, this review has identified some key factors from Africa that affects the operation of One Belt One Road Initiative (OBORI) and in the long run, it indirectly affects, Africa Infrastructure Development (AID), the dependent variable

Summary

Introduction

Since the onset of its economic reforms and opening up in1978, China has achieved substantial development resulting in GDP growth averaged almost 10% annually, and over 850 million citizens have been catapulted out of poverty. These substantial developments have been seen from an agricultural, self-contained, and inward-looking nation into a worldwide economic powerhouse second only to the United States[1]. In line with her rapid economic growth on the international scene, China has tried to operate on the global stage, from Latin America, Middle East, South East Asia, to Africa [2]. Some of the African countries are among the beneficiaries se in this initiate especially in terms of infrastructure development which is ranked behind as compared to other developments

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Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion