Major Constraints of the Sino-African Relations in the Nigerian Construction Industry

Abstract

Over the years, China has become an integral part of Africa’s development both in infrastructure and economy. This fit was attained through unrelenting investment in the continent. However, as the relationship between the continent and China grew, numerous challenges hindered the effective participation in Africa’s infrastructure development and construction. This study, therefore, assesses the challenges hindering effective Chinese participation in the Nigerian construction industry. The study followed a descriptive nature and a quantitative model was adopted. Data for the study was gathered from core construction professionals within Nigeria by a means of a questionnaire survey. Out of 150 targeted respondents, only 139 responses were retrieved and used as the basis of the research. The collected data were analyzed using factor analysis in conjunction with descriptive analysis and presented. Also, the data collected was subjected to a normality test and a non-parametric test. The result of the analysis grouped the variables under factors which were subsequently named challenges posed by system inefficiencies, challenges posed by demographic differences, challenges posed by Chinese firms operating style, challenges posed by unethical operations, and challenges posed by the host national government. The study concluded that all stakeholders of the Sino-African relations must play their part to ensure the efficient and effective operation of Chinese firms and professionals in Africa and especially in the construction industry.

Keywords:

• Sino-African relations
• China-African relations
• African construction industry
• African infrastructural development
• challenges of China-African relations

Notes on contributors

Olushola Akinshipe is a Doctoral student in the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. He focuses on research within the built environment field with specific interests in sustainability in construction, construction project life cycle, facility management, building automation, and China–Africa partnership in the built environment.

Clinton Aigbavboa is a Full Professor of Sustainable Human Development in the Department of Construction Management and Quantity Surveying, University of Johannesburg, South Africa. His research interest are situated in the fields of sustainable human development, with the focus on: sustainable housing regeneration (urban renewal and informal housing), Life Cycle Assessment in the Construction Industry, remanufacturing, leadership in low-income housing, sustainable construction thinking, biomimicry, digitalisation of the construction industry, infrastructure development, construction industry development, construction and engineering management, construction industry development and research methodological thinking and paradigm, post-occupancy evaluation and green job creation.