Dependency Theory – A Conceptual Lens to Understand China’s Presence in Africa?

Abstract

This conceptual article explores the evolution of dependency theory and deploys the theory to understand China’s contemporary presence in Africa as a case study to provide new insights into the usability of this theory and its fundamental concepts. To this end, this article provides commentary to dependency theory and develops further its theoretical foundations from the viewpoint of this case example. In an attempt to understand and explain the phenomenon of contemporary Sino-African engagement, we explore dependency theory in order to unpack the complexity inherent in China’s contemporary presence in Africa and ask whether this ‘system-level’ relationship is likely to end in a similar fashion as espoused by dependency theorists in their analysis of North–South relationship. This article concludes that straightforward deployment of dependency theory does not suffice in the light of contemporary Sino-African engagement. We opine that China–Africa relationship suggests a case of growing interdependency. We conclude that beyond the economic partnership, cooperation and solidarity, China’s presence in Africa presents Africa a challenge to question the status quo, re-orient their values and to adopt an inward focus on their developmental needs and priorities.

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