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The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development

This dissertation seeks to critically assess the potential of Chinese-led Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Africa to achieve development objectives and align with the strategic interests of host countries. The research is informed by the exceptional growth trajectory of China, which has resulted in...

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Main Author: Phillips, James
Other Authors: Chien, Jing
Format: Thesis
Language:English
English
Published: School of Economics 2025
Subjects:
economic development
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access_status_str Open Access
author Phillips, James
author2 Chien, Jing
author_browse Chien, Jing
Phillips, James
author_facet Chien, Jing
Phillips, James
author_sort Phillips, James
collection Thesis
description This dissertation seeks to critically assess the potential of Chinese-led Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Africa to achieve development objectives and align with the strategic interests of host countries. The research is informed by the exceptional growth trajectory of China, which has resulted in increased Chinese economic engagement with the global south, including the proliferation of Chinese-led SEZs overseas. To shed light on this phenomenon, this work conducts a case study of the Lekki Free Zone – one of China's flagship overseas SEZs in Africa – analyzing the factors pivotal to successful SEZs and supporting development objectives, as well as China's role as an investor and partner. The research findings reveal a pattern of unmet expectations in the achievement of a multitude of development objectives set forth by the zone developer and host country. Notwithstanding these shortcomings, the zone has seen significant modern infrastructure developments, suggesting potential for future growth. Yet, the study identifies an enduring imbalance. This is evident as the Chinese-led SEZ model in Africa seemingly prioritizes the interests of Chinese investors, at times overshadowing the developmental needs of host countries. Such a trend raises questions about the sustainability and equity of these partnerships. The study further synthesizes the findings to provide recommendations for policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders that seek a relationship of more symmetrical benefit.
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institution University of Cape Town (South Africa)
language English
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last_indexed 2026-06-10T12:53:13.599Z
license_str Not specified — see source repository
provenance_str_mv Harvested via OAI-PMH from UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
publishDate 2025
publishDateRange 2025
publishDateSort 2025
publisher School of Economics
publisherStr School of Economics
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source_str UCTD — University of Cape Town Open Access Repository
spelling oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/41262 The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development Phillips, James Chien, Jing Black, Anthony economic development This dissertation seeks to critically assess the potential of Chinese-led Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in Africa to achieve development objectives and align with the strategic interests of host countries. The research is informed by the exceptional growth trajectory of China, which has resulted in increased Chinese economic engagement with the global south, including the proliferation of Chinese-led SEZs overseas. To shed light on this phenomenon, this work conducts a case study of the Lekki Free Zone – one of China's flagship overseas SEZs in Africa – analyzing the factors pivotal to successful SEZs and supporting development objectives, as well as China's role as an investor and partner. The research findings reveal a pattern of unmet expectations in the achievement of a multitude of development objectives set forth by the zone developer and host country. Notwithstanding these shortcomings, the zone has seen significant modern infrastructure developments, suggesting potential for future growth. Yet, the study identifies an enduring imbalance. This is evident as the Chinese-led SEZ model in Africa seemingly prioritizes the interests of Chinese investors, at times overshadowing the developmental needs of host countries. Such a trend raises questions about the sustainability and equity of these partnerships. The study further synthesizes the findings to provide recommendations for policymakers, investors, and other stakeholders that seek a relationship of more symmetrical benefit. 2025-03-27T10:19:56Z 2025-03-27T10:19:56Z 2024 2025-03-27T10:18:09Z Thesis / Dissertation Masters MCom http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41262 en eng application/pdf School of Economics Faculty of Commerce University of Cape Town
spellingShingle economic development
Phillips, James
The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development
thesis_degree_str Master's
title The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development
title_full The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development
title_fullStr The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development
title_full_unstemmed The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development
title_short The pitfalls and promises of Chinese-led special economic zones for African development
title_sort pitfalls and promises of chinese led special economic zones for african development
topic economic development
url http://hdl.handle.net/11427/41262
work_keys_str_mv AT phillipsjames thepitfallsandpromisesofchineseledspecialeconomiczonesforafricandevelopment
AT phillipsjames pitfallsandpromisesofchineseledspecialeconomiczonesforafricandevelopment

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