Analysing the impact of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on Africa’s economic development: The case of Zimbabwe (2010-2018).

Abstract

This research analyses the impact of Forum for China Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) on the development of African economies with specific reference to Zimbabwe between 2010 and 2018. FOCAC was established in 2000, at a time when Zimbabwe was urgently looking for a potential international partner. Zimbabwe had broken relations with the West following the implementation of the Fast Track Land Reform Programme (FTLRP). The major objective guiding this study is the need to analyse the impact of Zimbabwe’s involvement in FOCAC on its economic development, focusing on the deals and real indicators of a country’s economy. The study was qualitative in nature employing interviews and documentary sources as means of collecting data. Data was presented and analysed using thematic and documentary analysis approaches. Theories of dependency, interdependency and the concept of economic diplomacy were used as frameworks of analysis. During the process of the research, it was found out that FOCAC has had a positive impact on the development of Zimbabwe’s economy .This is shown by the increased Chinese investments in Zimbabwe’s various economic sectors such as trade, agriculture, infrastructural development and mining sector .However, it was also found out that there are some weaknesses of FOCAC which include imbalance of benefits between the two partners. China tends to benefit more at the expense of Zimbabwe that keeps on exporting raw materials. This study recommends that African countries in general and Zimbabwe in particular need to renegotiate the provisions of FOCAC as means to ensure mutual benefit. Instead of keeping on exporting raw materials in exchange of donations and aid, Zimbabwe and all other African countries need to put emphasis on value addition and manufacturing.