The Development and Economic Growth Research Programme of the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) released in June 2020 a study “Africa’s Economic Transformation: The Role of Chinese Investment” that shows China to be a good development partner for African nations, with its focus on infrastructure and production for sale in local markets, rather than using cheap labor to produce for export. This study joins the many others that refute the geopolitical lies about China’s Belt and Road Initiative being a debt trap and about Chinese firms not hiring local workers.
The 36-page study concludes:
“Chinese firms investing in Africa contribute to substantial job creation for African workers, with high localisation rates.”
“Chinese companies are found to build the skills of host countries’ workers.”
This benefit is more limited at the level of technical and managerial skills, where there is less skill transfer.
