2013 Reports

Go out and manufacture: Policy support for Chinese FDI in Africa

Clarke, Nikia

Energy investments and infrastructure contracts remain prominent in China’s Africa engagement. However, investment in manufacturing makes up a significant proportion of Chinese outward foreign direct investment (FDI). Its characteristics – large numbers of smaller transactions by privately owned small and medium-sized firms – make these flows difficult to assess or control. However, China and African governments have an interest in effectively channeling this type of FDI.