Africa's business and development relationship with china: seeking moral and capital values of the last economic frontier

Abstract

Relationships between China and Africa were formally established in the 1950s but trade and cooperation dates back to over 100 years. Recently, as China's economy continues to grow and transform into a major global player in all spheres, it is becoming clear that China increasingly needs to secure reliable sources of resources to support its economic development. For so long, investors have seen Africa as risky, unsafe and backward. But it is also adventurous and can be very lucrative in terms of returns and profits. Although attractive business can mostly be in energy, oil, and other raw materials, manufacturing, infrastructure development, supplies and services are equally very important. Given the complexity of doing business in Africa and coupled with the modernization and need for resources that is driving China, the impact that it brings to Africa can be in the form of trade, FDI, etc. Over the past decades, China has become an influential player across Africa's economy and development. This trend has brought along opportunities and challenges.