Renewable Energy Development: African State Agency and Chinese Investment: African states at the crossroads of strategy and foreign influence

This research is concerned with determining the extent of state agency of sub-Saharan African states, in the matter of Chinese non-/quasi-state investment in Africa’s renewable energy development. The possibilities in Africa for renewable energy development are numerous and undoubtedly crucial for sustainable economic development in the years to come. Taking state agency as a dependent variable in this research, several independent variables emanate from existing literature on this topic. These include the types of engagement between Chinese and African actors, the organization and structures of funding for projects and development, national frameworks, and paradiplomacy. Scholarship on this topic provides that on China’s behalf, most types of engagement such as direct private investment and transnational organizations are usually shaped to benefit China, which might undermine mutual advantages. Yet, China, with a technological advantage compared to sub-Saharan Africa and with its...Show moreThis research is concerned with determining the extent of state agency of sub-Saharan African states, in the matter of Chinese non-/quasi-state investment in Africa’s renewable energy development. The possibilities in Africa for renewable energy development are numerous and undoubtedly crucial for sustainable economic development in the years to come. Taking state agency as a dependent variable in this research, several independent variables emanate from existing literature on this topic. These include the types of engagement between Chinese and African actors, the organization and structures of funding for projects and development, national frameworks, and paradiplomacy. Scholarship on this topic provides that on China’s behalf, most types of engagement such as direct private investment and transnational organizations are usually shaped to benefit China, which might undermine mutual advantages. Yet, China, with a technological advantage compared to sub-Saharan Africa and with its role as the main creditor, it is not deemed conspicuous in that regard for China to have a slight upper hand and leave less agency for sub-Saharan countries. The issue of orchestration also strains state agency as bottom-up movements are supported and mostly operate independently. When examining the types of engagement, it appears that sub-Saharan states still hold many autonomous decision-making capabilities, because most cooperation is deliberate or a result of thorough consideration and negotiation. In the case of orchestration, state agency is largely dependent on the groups international organizations target and to which end. These could include, for example, slow pace of energy transitions or lack of governmental attention. In the case of funding, most flows through development banks, which remain focused on advisory roles and asset management. These tend to distance themselves from project development and management. Cases vary across the region, however, as in Uganda state agency is shaped strategically. This results in sustainable regulation, swift development, and less need for strict state control of assets.Show less

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Renewable Energy Development: African State Agency and Chinese Investment: African states at the crossroads of strategy and foreign influence