Follow CGSP on Social Media

Listen to the CGSP Podcast

Africa’s Debt-fueled Infrastructure Binge Will Not Generate Economic Growth, Says Prominent Kenyan Scholar

by Eric Olander
File image of the Chinese-financed and built Nairobi Expressway in Kenya. Simon MAINA / AFP

Kenya, Nigeria and Zambia are among a number of African countries that borrowed billions of dollars over the past twenty years to build massive infrastructure projects that policymakers in those countries all thought would help grow their economies.

That didn’t happen and now those countries are wilting under a pile of debts they may never be able to repay.

Lead the Conversation on China

Subscribe Today to Get Full Access to The China-Global South Project

Check Out Everything You'll Get With Your Subscription

The China-Global South Daily Brief delivered to your inbox at 6AM Washington time

Full access to exclusive news and analysis from editors based in the Global South

Transcripts of CGSP’s twice-weekly podcasts

Students and teachers with a valid .edu email address are eligible for a 50% discount off monthly or yearly subscriptions. Email us to receive a discount code.

You Might Like

“Public Investment is a Thing of the Past,” Says the EIU’s Chief Africa Economist

While a growing number of African countries are furiously renegotiating their debts with various creditors, one question that keeps emerging is whether China will eventually resume lending these countries large amounts of money ...

Nigeria’s Debt is Growing, but China’s Share is Shrinking: Debt Management Office

Nigeria’s total public debt stood at $94.7 billion in 2021, up from $78.9 billion the previous year. Patience Oniha, the head of the country’s Debt Management Office (DMO) briefed journalists last Thursday in Abuja. ...

In State of the Nation Address, Kenyatta Called For Kenya to Become the World’s Next “Asian Miracle”

Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta delivered his eighth and final State of the Nation address on Tuesday and used the occasion to justify the massive expansion of the country’s debt as part of his ...

What is The China-Global South Project?

Independent

The China-Global South Project is passionately independent, non-partisan and does not advocate for any country, company or culture.

News

A carefully curated selection of the day’s most important China-Global South stories. Updated 24 hours a day by human editors. No bots, no algorithms.

Analysis

Diverse, often unconventional insights from scholars, analysts, journalists and a variety of stakeholders in the China-Global South discourse.

Networking

A unique professional network of China-Africa scholars, analysts, journalists and other practioners from around the world.