Rwanda Market in Addis Ababa: Between Chinese Migrants and a Local Food Network

Abstract

The increasing number of Chinese migrants in Ethiopia has created a niche market for Chinese food consumption, turning Rwanda Market into the only urban food market specialising in Chinese products in the city of Addis Ababa. The specific character of this market is that even though it primarily serves the demands of foreign migrants, the food value chain and the business network is predominantly local. Positioned in a relatively conservative business environment in Ethiopia's food sector, the local business network in Rwanda Market actively adapts to the needs of the migrant community and expands its food value chain. Through daily interactions between the local business network and Chinese food consumers, convivial relations are evolving in and beyond the market. These interactions contribute to reshaping the socio-economic space of the market and the food landscape of the city. This study of Rwanda Market provides empirical material for the developing and diversifying research field of China-Africa encounters.

Can the Dragon Make the Lion Breathe Fire? The Links of Chinese Entrepreneurs in the Addis Ababa Economy

“…Almost all other Chinese businesses (i.e., targeting Chinese customers) are located in the streets surrounding this openair market (for more contextual information, see "Addis Ababa and Bole Rwanda" section). This particular food market has recently been extensively described and investigated by Huang (2019) studying both the local food value chains related to this market, and the social relations and interactions between the migrant and local communities in this particular area. While her research focused on the Rwanda Market itself, as a space for interactions and encounters resulting in changes in boundaries and even identities, the current study takes on another perspective in analyzing the strategies and economic linkages of (Chinese) entrepreneurs active in the Bole Rwanda area.…”

“…The China market has become a unique arena in which foreign and local business actors interact and establish relationships. As such, Huang (2019) concludes that this is an alternative way in which Chinese food systems can be integrated in urban areas around the world. The area has become a melting pot of Chinese businesses and entrepreneurs, Chinese customers, and Ethiopians.…”

“…The interaction between entrepreneur and the various contexts is believed to be reciprocal, that is, context affects entrepreneurial activity and vice versa (Jack and Anderson 2002). Furthermore, as Huang (2019) showed in her study on the physical and social forms of Rwanda Market, and in particular the encounters between different groups of people, daily engagement between migrants and locals shapes various and dynamic contexts.…”

“…The concentration can be further pinned down to a specific neighborhood, namely Bole Rwanda. Huang (2019) also identifies this Bole sub-city, in which Bole Rwanda is centrally located neighborhood, as being the area in Addis Ababa where most of the Chinese migrants of the city are concentrated. This neighborhood is known for a large variety of malls and chain-branded hotels and restaurants.…”

“…The main research group in this study comprised Chinese entrepreneurs in Addis Ababa, that is, those owning small service and/or retail businesses. 4 We focused specifically on one neighborhood, called Bole Rwanda, because of the high concentration of Chinese businesses there (Huang 2019). Residents from various neighborhoods in the city confirmed that Bole Rwanda is the area with the most Chinese entrepreneurs.…”