Chinese Migration in Africa

This research paper by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the patterns, types, and social dynamics of Chinese migration to Africa. It distinguishes between temporary labor migrants, independent entrepreneurs, and transit migrants, while analyzing the socio-economic tensions and settlement patterns emerging across the continent, with a detailed case study on South Africa.

• Chinese migration to Africa is diverse and has increased exponentially, with total estimates ranging from approximately 580,000 to over 800,000 people. The highest concentrations are found in South Africa and Nigeria, followed by Sudan, Angola, Algeria, and Mauritius, which each have well over 10,000 Chinese nationals.
• There are four primary categories of Chinese migrants: temporary labor migrants (the largest group), small-time entrepreneurs, transit migrants, and agricultural workers. Temporary labor migrants are often employed by Chinese state-owned enterprises (SOEs) or private firms in infrastructure, oil, and mining, typically staying for one to three years before returning to China.
• Independent 'entrepreneurial migrants' often establish retail or wholesale businesses selling low-cost Chinese-made goods. These migrants frequently utilize kinship networks for recruitment and may settle in areas previously established by Taiwanese businesses, such as in Mauritius, Nigeria, Namibia, Lesotho, and South Africa.
• Chinese migrants in Africa are generally categorized as either 'modern-day sojourners,' who aim to make a profit and return to China to build homes, or 'transnational citizens' who maintain global investments and homes across multiple countries. A small number of long-term residents (fewer than 20,000), primarily in southern Africa, have become actual settlers.
• Anti-Chinese sentiment is driven by several factors, including negative Western media portrayals, competition with local traders, and the perceived link between migrants and the Chinese state. This has led to outbreaks of violence in Zambia (2006) and Lesotho (2007), and rumors regarding the use of slave or prison labor in construction projects.
• South Africa hosts three distinct Chinese communities: indigenous Chinese South Africans (approx. 10,000), Taiwanese and Taiwanese South Africans (approx. 6,000), and new immigrants from the People's Republic of China (estimated between 200,000 and 350,000).

APA

Park, Y. J. (2009). Chinese Migration in Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Occasional-Paper-24.pdf

Chicago

Park, Yoon Jung. Chinese Migration in Africa. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2009. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Occasional-Paper-24.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Park |first1=Yoon Jung |title=Chinese Migration in Africa |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=January 2009 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Occasional-Paper-24.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{park2009chinese, author = {Park, Yoon Jung}, title = {{Chinese Migration in Africa}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2009}, month = jan, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2009/02/Occasional-Paper-24.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }