Theoretical contributions

This study has several implications for the academia, specifically for those interested in the discourse of China–Africa relations and economic engagement.

China–Africa discourse and studies

The recurring themes in academic and policy research on China–Africa relations have centred on the impact of the engagement on economic development in Africa, mostly in the area of infrastructure and natural resources. In addition, scholars have examined the impact of Chinese economic interest on African security and conflicts in the region, migration patterns of Chinese into Africa and Africans into China, media representations of China–Africa relations and the impact of the engagement on environment and public health (Alden & Large, 2019). Labour practices of Chinese enterprises in Africa and the

impact of the engagement on HCD are among the most contentious issues in the relations (King, 2013). However, academic research on the topic, though gaining momentum, has been limited. This study addresses this gap by examining the HCD dimensions of China–

Africa economic engagement and investigating its implications for HCD in Africa as a whole.

This study responds to calls for research that provide more than a general overview of China–Africa relations, such as empirical investigations based on country-specific case studies, for a deeper understanding of the engagement (Brautigam, 2017). Among the key contributions of this thesis is that it provides empirical evidence on the implications of the China–Africa economic engagement for HCD in Africa by examining the case of Huawei in Nigeria. The study finds that Chinese enterprises in Africa are well placed and do contribute to HCD in the form of employment creation, training and skills building, and knowledge and technology transfer. Further, host government policies can leverage these investments for HCD. While CEE with Africa ushers opportunities for HCD, these opportunities are likely to vary across sectors and countries because of the differences in sectoral and contextual conditions.

Factors such as the type of industry sector, the regulatory environment pertaining to expatriate quotas, work permits, local content requirements, availability of skilled labour in the host country, the firm’s strategy, its size and its scale of operations impact the labour-related practices of Chinese enterprises in Africa and the HCD implications of the engagement. Thus, investigations, analyses and interpretations of the findings on the HCD implications of China–Africa economic engagement should include an analysis of these sectoral and contextual conditions.

By relying on existing research and theoretical viewpoints on the links between FDI and HCD enhancement, this study provides a deeper analysis and nuanced understanding of the HCD implications of China–Africa economic engagement. It addresses enduring narratives surrounding the labour practices and operations of Chinese enterprises in Africa, some of which include the use of convict labour, reluctance to hire local workers and poor working conditions. Some of these claims are a result of reports and studies lacking theoretical, methodological and analytical rigour (Ado & Su, 2016; Brautigam et al., 2017;

Oya & McKinley, 2016). This study as such highlights and addresses the drawbacks in extant literature stemming from the lack of theoretical underpinnings and poor analysis of findings that have contributed to fragmented and conflicting accounts of China–Africa engagement (Ado & Su, 2016) and its impact on HCD (King, 2013). This study proffers a working hypothesis that the HCD impact of CEE in Africa will vary across industry sectors and countries because of the differences in sectoral and contextual conditions (see Agbebi, 2019). Studies adopting this viewpoint will promote a deeper understanding of the HCD implications of CEE in Africa.

This study responds to calls for an increase in theoretically grounded studies on China’s engagement in Africa (Alden & Large, 2019; A’Zami, 2015) and its implications for Africa’s

development. While the number of studies on the engagement are on the rise, they have been largely ‘under-theorised and fragmented’ and mostly events-driven (Alden & Large, 2019). By relying on the frameworks of dependency theory and human capital theory to examine China–Africa economic engagement and its HCD implications in Africa, this study addresses a crucial gap. In so doing, it facilitates a deeper understanding of the engagement and its implications from a theoretically sound viewpoint.

Dependency theory, though instrumental in analysing systems-level relationships, has traditionally been deployed to analyse and explain north-south relations and the consequences for development in the global south (Kruger, 2009). This study, however, extends the application of the theory to analyse Sino–African engagement (an example of a south–south engagement) and its implications for development in Africa. Thus, this work draws attention to dependency theory as an important analytical lens to examine not only North-South relations but cross-national economic relations within the global south.

It may help answer questions such as ‘can exploitative relations also emerge within south-south economic relations, resulting in a diversification of dependency?’.

Study on new forms of economic engagement

This study puts forth a framework that can advance the understanding of the outcomes of new forms of economic engagements such as the China–Africa economic engagement.

This overarching framework, presented in Section 2.3 and in Sub-study 2, can guide management researchers in investigating new patterns of economic engagement, how they interact with the national contexts of a country, its institutions and organisations and the potential outcomes of such engagements. The framework when utilised, could further shed insights into these new forms of economic engagement and their wider impact on development.

This framework could also be useful in guiding studies on economic engagement within the context of the global south relations i.e. south-south economic engagements.

Such engagements could significantly affect the development trajectory of the countries and thus warrant more research attention (Gray & Gills, 2016). The use of the framework to investigate CEE in Africa can help examine arguments such as whether the relative similarities in the socio-economic conditions between China and Africa offer better prospects for socio-economic development in Africa. Research using this framework might disprove or confirm arguments that international economic engagements within the auspices of globalisation are inherently exploitative (Kruger, 2009) regardless of the nature of the economic partners involved in such engagement. Further, the use of the framework can be useful in investigating the readiness of African nations and institutions for leveraging economic engagements for their development objectives and the approaches that they should employ.

The case for host government interventions and the role of the private sector in HCD

Findings from this study corroborate the arguments for government intervention in steering FDI for development (Reiter & Steensma, 2010; te Velde, 2002). The findings show that through policies, such as the local content policy, and strategies involving active collaboration with MNCs, governments can encourage MNCs to contribute to HCD in their host countries and in this case leverage China–Africa engagement for HCD. Typically, studies on the development of human capital have focused on internal organisational processes and interventions to enhance individual and organisational effectiveness (Garavan, 2007; Hamlin & Stewart, 2011). This study partly shifts the attention to a macro level by focusing on how the private sector could contribute to HCD at a national scale. Thus, this work contributes to the ongoing discussion on how the private sector can complement weak governmental institutional frameworks for HCD (Business Action for Africa, 2010; Harvey et al., 2002; Jackson, 2012; Mamman, Kamoche, Zakaria, & Agbebi, 2018; Nsouli, 2000) by supporting education and capacity-building efforts, particularly in developing countries. Private sector involvement could potentially bridge the HCD gap between African countries and the rest of the developed world.

In conclusion, this study serves to de-sensationalise unpolished narratives about China’s role in Africa by providing verifiable empirical analysis of the engagement. It also helps advance scholarly inquiry on HCD dynamics and the implications of China–Africa economic engagement by interpreting the findings and suggesting areas of further research that can enhance one’s understanding of the engagement and its implications for HCD in Africa.