The Illusive Quest for Structural Transformation in Africa: Will China Make a Difference?

摘要: Despite various attempts since independence and the growing economic engagement between China Africa in last two decades, structural transformation has remained elusive. In six unlike East Asian countries, African countries failed to successfully transform their economies thus upgrade industrial capabilities move up ladder of value addition. There is, however, renewed efforts by industrialise as one ways structurally economies. should ‘leverage backwardness’ attract industries technologies that are consistent with comparative advantages (Lin, 2018). Indeed, there appears be interest from Chinese labour-intensive manufacturing, who see a low cost production region, especially given rising labour costs China. With clear strategic policy direction, can take advantage imminent relocation substantial share China’s 85 million manufacturing jobs. This is not foregone conclusion, other regions also trying exploit this opportunity, hence requiring solidify competitive for relocation. The studies, issue, while cautiously optimistic about potential positive contribution Africa’s transformation, underscore such success conditional on capability informed making implementation pragmatic manner.