What can Turkiye learn from China’s experience in establishing special economic zones in Africa?

Abstract

African countries, which have been under the interest and hegemony of Western countries for many years, have begun to evolve into a new era with China's Belt and Road Initiative in the last quarter century. It is seen that China has deepened its cooperation with African countries, especially those that have financial difficulties and lack infrastructure, but have natural resource wealth. While there are positive views on this relationship, there are also criticisms that gains are achieved with the policy of indebting countries that they cannot pay with luxurious infrastructure projects.

Turkiye's relationship with African countries has been diversifying with its long-standing foreign trade, infrastructure and housing construction projects spread across the continent, and energy investments. In parallel with this, Turkey is increasing its soft power on the continent with projects such as increasing education agreements, NGO collaborations, and TIKA aid.

This article focuses on what lessons can be learned for Turkish manufacturing industry investors who want to expand their cooperation with African countries through the example of China's establishment of 'Special Economic Production Zones', which it first started in its own country, then moved to many countries, and finally concentrated in Africa.

In this study, face-to-face interviews with continental experts, country reports and country statistics, as well as World Bank studies were used as methods. In addition, datas from the Chinese statistical office and the Ministry of Commerce were used regarding the special production zones in the continent.

As a result of the study, it was concluded that Africa could be one of the solutions for Turkiye's increasing food needs and new investments in low and medium technology sectors. With the expansion of construction and trade activities in the continent, it was concluded that in addition to all North African countries in the food, textile, construction materials and main metal industry sectors, countries such as Ethiopia, Senegal, Nigeria, Ghana, Republic of South Africa, Tanzania and Kenya from Sub-Saharan Africa are centers of attraction for Turkish investors.

The originality of the study is that it includes analyses that can be used on a state and private company basis in Turkiye's foreign investment and sector planning, covering all African countries.