Competing discourses, local practices, and development implications : a case study of Chinese multinational corporations in Ethiopia in the era of the belt and road initiative

Abstract

Over the past two decades, the proliferation of special economic zones has emerged as a hallmark of Ethiopia's efforts to replicate China's development model. More than two dozen such zones, predominantly occupied by Chinese multinational corporations (MNCs), now operate across Ethiopia's urban centers. This study examines the local development implications of Chinese MNCs through case studies of four companies operating in Hawassa Special Economic Zone—the continent's largest Chinese-built special economic zone, located in southern Ethiopia. By analysing perspectives from state actors, corporations, workers, and community members, the findings challenge binary theoretical frameworks, such as the neo-Marxist "neo-colonialism" narrative or the "Sino-neoliberalist" "win-win" paradigm. Instead, they reveal a complex, contested landscape of development outcomes. The local impacts of Chinese MNCs are multifaceted, marked by three key characteristics: (1) improved infrastructure, though with minimal community consultation; (2) a high degree of workforce localization, albeit accompanied by poor working conditions for low-skilled laborers; and (3) increased export revenue, yet limited integration of domestic content. Data from state and corporate sources emphasize positive contributions, including infrastructure development, job creation, and export growth. Grassroots narratives, however, reveal divergent views: while most low-skilled workers—primarily rural women—report dissatisfaction with low wages and harsh labour conditions, semi-skilled workers and expatriates express optimism about career and financial prospects. Similarly, displaced farmers criticize inadequate compensation for zone construction, and families of low-skilled workers lament exploitative conditions, whereas families of semi-skilled workers and local small business owners highlight economic benefits tied to employment opportunities. These dynamics underscore how actor-specific backgrounds and institutional contexts—both domestic and international—shape development outcomes in ways beyond the control of Chinese MNCs. The study critiques structuralist analyses that simplistically frame Chinese firms as either transformative agents or neocolonial exploiters. Instead, it advocates for nuanced, context-driven investigations into Sino-African relations, challenging universal narratives about the role of Chinese MNCs in Africa's industrialization and broader development discourse.