The next stage of sovereign wealth investment: China buys Africa

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to highlight a number of issues surrounding the sovereign wealth investment activities of the Chinese Government in Africa.

Design/methodology/approach

The paper employs a case study approach, bringing together various news articles and reports from around the world to build a picture of China's investment activities.

Findings

The paper finds that the reach of the Chinese Government is expanding rapidly beyond the narrow investments made thus far by China Investment Corporation. Through a wide‐ranging programme of investment through Chinese State Owned Enterprises the Chinese Government is securing substantial amounts of oil, mineral and arable land, with much of this coming from Africa.

Research limitations/implications

The paper is a case study and as such is illustrative.

Practical implications

The current focus of the debate on sovereign wealth needs to be widened to take account of the other ways in which sovereign wealth is being invested.

Originality/value

This paper is believed to be the first to discuss this important issue.

Citation

Doriye, E. (2010), "The next stage of sovereign wealth investment: China buys Africa", Journal of Financial Regulation and Compliance, Vol. 18 No. 1, pp. 23-31. https://doi.org/10.1108/13581981011019606