China's spatial fix in Africa: constraining belt or road to economic transformation?

Mounting overaccumulation of capital and material has compelled the Chinese government to seek solutions overseas. The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), with its transregional infrastructure projects connecting Eurasia and Africa, is the hallmark venture in this effort. Chinese road, railway, port and energy projects, implemented under the BRI banner, have become widespread in Africa. This article traces drivers of the BRI in the post-reform evolution of the Chinese economy and conceptualises the BRI as a multi-vector spatial fix aimed at addressing chronic overaccumulation. Focusing on Kenya, Djibouti and Ethiopia, the paper documents how loan financing related to BRI projects reveals contradictions that arise from China's spatial fix in Africa. Concerns about a looming debt crisis on the continent and the questionable economic sustainability of some BRI projects have become more pressing amidst the COVID-19-induced economic contraction. Hopes for Africa's economic transformation based on increasing connectivity under the BRI are unlikely to materialise.

Automated summary

The overaccumulation of capital and material resources has driven the Chinese government to pursue solutions overseas, leading to initiatives like the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) which aims to address chronic overaccumulation through transregional infrastructure projects. While Chinese projects under the BRI have become widespread in Africa, concerns about debt sustainability and economic viability have been raised, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. These challenges suggest that the hopes for Africa's economic transformation through increased connectivity under the BRI may be difficult to achieve.