Publication

This paper discusses if the resources-for-infrastructure (R4I) swaps employed by Chinese companies in resource-rich African countries reduce or increase the risk of these countries falling prey to the resource curse. The author reviews two opposing views present in academic literature: one argues that the infusion of Chinese investment in these countries encourages the elite to use resource wealth for self-serving ends, while the other contends that R4I swaps have a positive impact on economic development in the countries. The findings support neither of the views- Rather, they show that the outcome depends on the capacity of African governmental institutions to harness the opportunities of R4I swaps.