South-South cooperationbetween theory and practice: Assessing the role of China on building the technological capacity in Tanzania

This Ph.D. research emerged from an observed disconnect between the growing research focus on the Chinese engagements in Africa, coupled with a failure to address the existing knowledge gap about the influence of such engagements towards technological and industrial development in the continent. The dissertation noted the official narratives and enthusiasm among the top leaders Africa to acquire the Chinese experience with industrial and technological development. The realization of such dreams, however, has only attracted a few studies within the contemporary Sino-African literature. In response to this research challenge, the dissertation was designed to examine a selection of Chinese engagement schemes in Tanzania and their influence on the technological capacity building. This is guided by the main research question on how the (selected) four Chinese assistance programs in Tanzania contribute to stimulating technological innovation in Tanzania and the role of Tanzanian state actors in this process. The dissertation contributes to the body of knowledge about dynamics and influence of the Tanzanian government over the Chinese engagements. Among the key findings presented the various forms technology transfer between the three researched Chinese invested enterprises and Tanzanian ICT firms. This includes labor localization and training practices, capacity building to suppliers and subcontractor firms and the induced imitative practices among the local firms. Similarly, the analysis showed the influence of a Chinese Agro Technology Demonstration and Training Center (ATDC) on the adoption of improved rice farming technologies by farmers in rural Tanzania, and also the contribution of the two major Chinese training and scholarship schemes in improving individual and institutional capabilities while building the national stock of knowledge for innovation. Along with such positive contributions, the dissertation encountered a set of structural barriers and limitations to the technological capacity building efforts, of which some cut across more than one of the researched case study. The level of capacity building and extent of technology transfer were impeded by language differences among other socio-cultural barriers, and the widening technological gaps between China and Tanzania. The dissertation critiques the Tanzanian government's policies and strategies towards the acquisition of technology from Chinese invested enterprises, and also the poor emphasis on technology acquisition and local content utilization in bilateral partnership programs. Both both Tanzanian and Chinese state and non-state agencies are poorly rated in harnessing bilateral programs to stimulate human interactions and private sector engagements for a maximized exchange of knowledge and experiences. In addition to the empirical evidence, the dissertation has also contributed to the conceptualization of trans-national technology transfer and technological capacity building, with a link-up of technology transfer efforts with South-South Cooperation (SSC). In terms of methodology, this dissertation adopted the various approaches which were found to be appropriate for the research questions, and in response to a structural challenge of poor access to data on Chinse engagements. A multi-case study research approach was used with different methods applied to each of the four journal articles which forms the dissertation's main body. For example, a tracer study tool was used to examine the two Chinese scholarship and training schemes and their contribution to the technological human capacity building among individual trainees and their employers in Tanzania. On the other hand, a combination of participant observation, interviews and focus group was used in another article to experience and record patterns of agricultural technology adoption. In conclusion; the dissertation acknowledges the emerging role of Tanzanian state actors and their agency, which has proven success in attracting Chinese aid and investment resources. At the same time the dissertation warns against the incapacity of this agency to counterbalance the 'structural asymmetry' from China's soft power and geo-strategic interests in the country, particularly in relations to the industrial capacity (Cabestan & Chaponnière, 2016). To keep up with the rapidly evolving Chinese presence, the Tanzanian government is urged to advance its strategy on industrial and technological cooperation with China. Intensified engagements of Chinese profit seeking actors necessitates a more elaborate policy framework in Tanzania, which includes a support system to fuel interactions with local firms for knowledge transfer.status: publishe