Title: Chinese investments in Africa: corporate responsibility and sustainability norms

Authors: Daouda Cissé; Sven Grimm

Addresses: University of Alberta, China Institute, Telus Centre, Room 203, 111 Street & 87 Ave., Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 2R1, Canada ' German Development Institute, Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), Tulpenfeld 6, D-53113 Bonn, Germany; University of Stellenbosch, South Africa

Abstract: For its development, Africa unquestionably needs foreign investments. Consequently, developing global partnerships for economic and social development is high on the agenda of African Governments across the continent. New partnerships with emerging economies have formed alongside traditional ones, and through its investments in African countries, China has become one of Africa's major economic partners. Even though progressively diversifying, Chinese investments have concentrated in the resources and the infrastructure development sectors which are environmentally sensitive. This paper explores Chinese investments in African states from a perspective of norms ('sustainability') and institutions aimed at including the environmental dimension of sustainability. The environmental sustainability of Chinese engagement is discussed with regard to its inclusion or otherwise in incentives and regulations concerning Chinese enterprises and financial lending institutions activities abroad.

Keywords: China; Chinese investment; sustainable development; environmental sustainability; Africa; corporate responsibility; sustainability norms; economic development; social development; resource development; infrastructure development.

DOI: 10.1504/IJBGE.2015.074347

International Journal of Business Governance and Ethics, 2015 Vol.10 No.3/4, pp.285 - 304

Accepted: 25 Sep 2015
Published online: 23 Jan 2016 *

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