Study on Special Economic Zones in Africa and China
UNDP/IPRCC comparative study on special economic zones in Africa and China
This study, commissioned by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the International Poverty Reduction Center in China (IPRCC), looks at both Africa’s and China’s experiences with special economic zones (SEZs) to date with a focus on SEZs in three African countries – namely Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zambia – and two SEZ case studies in China. The study does not aim to analyse the adequacy of SEZs as a means for industrialization, but focuses on how to use SEZs effectively. Findings presented in this study derive from extensive research on, and analysis of, primary and secondary sources as well as from field research conducted in Ethiopia, Nigeria and Zambia throughout April 2015. The study seeks to answer three main research questions: How have Africa and China performed so far with SEZs? How could Africa benefit from China’s experience with SEZs? How could China-Africa cooperation on SEZs be enhanced in future?
