Much has been made of China’s
growing interest in Africa and of Chinese investment in the continent.
Certainly, China has spent a lot of money there, predominantly on
infrastructure projects. But when it comes to greenfield investment — direct
investment in physical facilities by foreign companies — it is in fact western
companies that are most active in Africa.
Chinese
companies are growing in both importance and volume as drivers of outbound
greenfield investment globally but to date have preferred investing in
developed markets
in Europe and North America. This is because their motives for investing
overseas are usually centred on access to new technologies and tie-ups with
prestigious brands.
in Europe and North America. This is because their motives for investing
overseas are usually centred on access to new technologies and tie-ups with
prestigious brands.
