Chinese-funded infrastructure projects are jeopardizing growth, development in Africa

Chinese-funded infrastructure projects are jeopardizing growth, development in Africa: China’s “weighty engagement” in African infrastructure projects has had an adverse effect on economic growth and development in the continent, Luke Patey writes for the Financial Times. The Asian powerhouse has invested heavily in various projects across Africa in hopes of spurring industrialization, but the high costs and low quality have only served to create heavy burdens of debt and disincentivize new investments. “To be productive and contribute to economic development, infrastructure needs to be high-quality and high-performing. And the evidence shows that China’s infrastructure-driven economic model has been far from efficient and is one to avoid rather than emulate.” Patey suggests that African countries should wean themselves off of Chinese engagement, and instead look among themselves for more rewarding alliances.