CHINA – AFRICA CO-OPERATION: CAPACITY BUILDING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTMENTS

The paper examines the dynamics of China-Africa economic cooperation, noting a significant increase in Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) from $500 million in 2003 to nearly $15 billion by 2012. While acknowledging the role of Chinese firms in hiring local labour—such as the Chinese National Petroleum Corporation and Chinese National Minerals Corporation—the author highlights a lack of transparency regarding training, health, and environmental standards. The document reviews several academic and scientific initiatives, including the Confucius Institutes and the 20+20 Cooperation Plan, concluding that while these signal a move beyond purely commercial interests, they have often failed to yield tangible results. The author recommends the establishment of a tighter African regulatory framework and an autonomous monitoring mechanism to ensure sustainable and inclusive growth.

• Chinese foreign direct investment (FDI) in Africa experienced substantial growth between 2003 and 2012, increasing from $500 million to nearly $15 billion, although it still represents less than 10% of all foreign investment on the continent.
• Chinese companies are increasingly employing local African workers, with the Chinese National Petroleum Corporation reporting that 82% of its staff in Africa (17,600 employees) are local hires, and the Chinese National Minerals Corporation hiring 12,500 workers in Zambia.
• There is a significant lack of clarity and a questionable record regarding the commitment of Chinese firms to social and environmental responsibility, including labour standards, transparency, and the safeguarding of worker health.
• Various higher education and research initiatives have been established to foster cooperation, but many have not yet achieved their full potential or produced tangible results.
• African economic growth is currently threatened by a heavy dependence on natural resources and an environmental trend where growth contributes to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and forest loss.

APA

Benjelloun, W. (2015). CHINA – AFRICA CO-OPERATION: CAPACITY BUILDING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTMENTS. South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Insights-24.pdf

Chicago

Benjelloun, Wail. CHINA – AFRICA CO-OPERATION: CAPACITY BUILDING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTMENTS. South African Institute of International Affairs, 2015. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Insights-24.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Benjelloun |first1=Wail |title=CHINA – AFRICA CO-OPERATION: CAPACITY BUILDING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTMENTS |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=24 August 2015 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Insights-24.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{benjelloun2015china, author = {Benjelloun, Wail}, title = {{CHINA – AFRICA CO-OPERATION: CAPACITY BUILDING AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY OF INVESTMENTS}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2015}, month = aug, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Policy-Insights-24.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }