Local Operations of Chinese Construction Firms in Africa: An Empirical Survey

Abstract

Over the past decade, Chinese construction activity in Africa has been dramatically enhanced with the launch of China’s ‘going out’ national strategy and the support and coordination of the Chinese government, business associations, and banks, and with innovative financing approaches such as Angola Mode. Based on original empirical data collected through interviews and questionnaire surveys, this paper analyzes the local operations of Chinese construction firms (CCFs) in the African construction market. It provides a descriptive profile of CCFs in terms of project pursuit, procurement of materials and equipment, workforce composition, financing sources, technology practices, environmental and social safeguards, and language barriers. The study offers a unique look into the behaviour of a crosssection of the largest players from the Chinese construction industry at a time when they are expanding aggressively beyond their traditional home market. The article also characterizes indirectly the expanding but complex African construction market.