China in Africa : helping or hindering regional integration?

M.A. (Politics)Abstract: This dissertation examines the presence of China in Africa in relation to regional integration. It examines whether or not China’s involvement is helping or hindering the growth of regional integration in Africa. In other words, the dissertation investigates whether China’s relationship with Africa has a negative or positive impact that promotes the sustainability of the regional integration in Africa. To prove the argument and achieve the aim of the research, the dissertation focuses on China-Africa relations and the China’s infrastructure projects in two African regions, namely the EAC and SADC. However, it is important to note at the outset that only five countries in each region were studied. The findings prove that China-Africa relations are not threatening the growth and development of regional integration contrary to what some current literature presents; rather China’s presence in these two regions is promoting and enhancing regional integration. The dissertation finds that Chinese infrastructure projects are bringing member states together, opening intra-trade which bolsters economic development in the regions. These projects are creating networks and corridors that are tying the two regions together. To arrive at such assertions, this dissertation adopts a qualitative research method with a case study and exploratory approaches. The dissertation does argue that there is need for member states in the region to foster stronger relations among themselves while developing policies that ensure the durability of the Chinese infrastructure projects