Situating Africa in the exports patterns of China's Belt and Road Initiative: A network analysis

Abstract

This study analytically examines the structure and characteristics of China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and African trade networks by applying network analysis techniques through a critical and in‐depth description of the international trade of Eastern African countries as part of the world trade network. Sixty‐four countries' trade flow data between 2000 and 2018 from the International Monetary Fund, was used, and the network indices indicate that the BRI significantly enhances the trade network's connectivity. The empirical results indicate that density, the degree of centralization, and average node intensity are typically growing, and China is in the central position of the network. Furthermore, East African intra‐regional trade tends to be more densely connected under the BRI. This, in effect, demonstrates that the BRI countries have experienced a rise in intra‐regional trade at different levels of economic development. Therefore, this study recommends that policymakers should consider the BRI's critical role in reforming trade policies to build a resilient and sustainable African economy.

Examining the determinants and efficiency of China’s agricultural exports using a stochastic frontier gravity model

“…By 2017, the exports had increased to USD 22.683 billion, nearly 10 times the export volume of 20 years earlier [23]. The BRI significantly enhances the trade network connectivity of the African countries [24].…”

Strengthening China-Africa Ties: Unveiling Cultural Collaboration, Media Influence, and Effective Communication Strategies

“…According to recent research conducted by Li (2017), Regissahui (2019) and Kayembe et al (2020), the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) launched by China in 2013 has bolstered economic ties between China and Africa. The BRI seeks to enhance connectivity through infrastructure development, trade enablement, and interpersonal communications (Dumor et al, 2021;WANG et al, 2020). The initiative offers opportunities for investment in infrastructure and increased global market access for African countries.…”

Exploring the impacts of Covid-19 on the electronic product trade of the G-7 countries: A complex network analysis approach and panel data analysis

“…The literature reveals that studies on the complex network analysis of trade have been conducted in different fields, with different perspectives and within different contexts, covering various products, countries, and economic formations. Studies utilizing network analysis have been conducted on global trade contexts [ 13 – 18 ], intra-African countries [ 19 ], ASEAN countries [ 15 , 20 ], OECD countries [ 21 ], China, BRIC, and African countries [ 22 , 23 ], Latin American countries [ 24 ], Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries [ 25 ], and Central Asia and Caucasus countries [ 26 ]. Furthermore, these studies focus on general trade [ 15 , 17 – 19 , 21 , 22 , 24 – 27 ], energy [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 23 , 28 ], food [ 29 – 31 ], clothing [ 32 , 33 ], and electronic products [ 4 ].…”

“…Studies utilizing network analysis have been conducted on global trade contexts [ 13 – 18 ], intra-African countries [ 19 ], ASEAN countries [ 15 , 20 ], OECD countries [ 21 ], China, BRIC, and African countries [ 22 , 23 ], Latin American countries [ 24 ], Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries [ 25 ], and Central Asia and Caucasus countries [ 26 ]. Furthermore, these studies focus on general trade [ 15 , 17 – 19 , 21 , 22 , 24 – 27 ], energy [ 13 , 14 , 16 , 23 , 28 ], food [ 29 – 31 ], clothing [ 32 , 33 ], and electronic products [ 4 ]. However, to the best of our knowledge, no studies have examined electronic product trade at the country group level during the COVID-19 period using complex network and panel data analyses.…”