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Title Can the Dragon Make the Lion Breathe Fire? The Links of Chinese Entrepreneurs in the Addis Ababa Economy
Full text https://dspace.library.uu.nl/handle/1874/433269
Date 2023
Author(s) van Boekel, Titus; Schutjens, Veronique; Zoomers, Annelies
Contributor(s) Familierecht en IPR; Geography and Education; International Development Studies
Abstract China's increasing role in many African economies has given rise to discussions about the drivers of these economic relations and the benefits that Africa can reap. This article, based on field work carried out in Addis Ababa (Ethiopia), aims to contribute to this discussion by shedding light on a group that is often overlooked: the Chinese small entrepreneurs. Our investigation of five specific economic linkages shows how Chinese entrepreneurs mainly operate in secluded market segments, but also are impactful players in the local economy of Bole Rwanda (Addis Ababa). Their presence has both direct and indirect economic effects: even though focusing mainly on serving the Chinese community, these entrepreneurs play important roles in employment generation, and the transfer of knowledge of particular markets, while simultaneously offering new opportunities for Ethiopian entrepreneurs and transforming the existing vegetable market. The dragon helped the lion to breathe fire'the challenge is to make it a far-reaching and long-lasting breath.
Subject(s) Addis Ababa; Chinese entrepreneurs; Local economy; Local linkages; Small and medium-sized enterprises (SME); Sub-Saharan Africa; Geography, Planning and Development; Development
Language en
Relation 0957-8811
Type of publication Article
Format application/pdf
Rights info:eu-repo/semantics/OpenAccess
Identifier European Journal of Development Research 35(5), - (2023)
Repository Utrecht - University of Utrecht
Added to C-A: 2024-03-20;11:37:18