Huawei’s Digital Infrastructure Development and Its Implications for China-Africa Relations

Abstract

This paper examines the increasing role of Chinese companies in Africa as the main actor in China-Africa relations since the 2000s. The first half of the paper offers a brief history of China-Africa relations and explains how Africa has been increasingly important in China’s foreign policy. China has been engaging in Africa since the 1950s. During the first thirty years, the major driving force behind China-Africa relations was political motivations. China recognized Africa as a promising region to gain diplomatic recognition over Taiwan and its support in many international settings. China succeeded in gaining a seat at the United Nations with the support of 26 African countries in October 1971.

Since China adopted its Open and Reform policy in 1978, economic interests have been a major driving force behind China’s foreign relations. While China prioritized its relations with the Western countries, no significant progress had been made in China-Africa relations. However, China’s isolation from international society after Tiananmen Square Incident in June 1989 became a turning point in China-Africa relations. Africa has become the first travel destination for the Chinese Foreign Minister since 1991. In 2000 China established the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) as a framework of multilateral diplomacy. FOCAC has been convened every three years and has promoted regional economic cooperation between China and Africa. The Chinese government has been actively assisting Chinese companies in expanding business in Africa with state financing by its policy banks and other means since the 2000s.

The second part of the paper focuses on Huawei’s digital infrastructure development as a case of the increasing presence of Chinese companies in Africa. Huawei expands its engagement by receiving Chinese financial assistance and by building smart cities in many countries in Africa. This paper argues that Huawei’s involvement goes beyond traditional business activities. Huawei can win long-term businesses and gain comparative advantages vis-à-vis other countries after building digital infrastructure in Africa. Huawei’s smart cities also impact state governance. For example, Huawei trains intelligence and police officers in several countries. Huawei helped strengthen the political foundations of current leaders by assisting in arresting the opponents in Uganda and Zambia. Although the introduction of Huawei’s digital governance system could improve local security, it has the potential to significantly undermine the existing social and economic environment in countries without good governance and strong state institution.

The existing studies on China-Africa relations focus on states as the main actor for analysis. However, actors other than governments have played increasingly important roles in China-African relations. Therefore, this study stresses the importance of analyzing the role of Chinese companies to enhance our understanding of China-Africa relations that are changing at an unprecedented pace today.