How can China help Nigeria become a more stable society in order to attract more FDI, and at the same time keep Chinese interests safe?
Author
Strindlund, Charlotte Elisabeth
Term
4. term
Publication year
2015
Submitted on
2015-05-18
Pages
58
Abstract
Nigeria er stærkt afhængig af udenlandske direkte investeringer (FDI), dvs. når udenlandske virksomheder investerer direkte i produktion, infrastruktur eller virksomheder i landet. Kina og Nigeria har komplementære interesser: Kina efterspørger råolie, og Nigeria ønsker mere FDI for at fremme vækst og udvikling. Siden omkring 2011 har politisk ustabilitet, især knyttet til Boko Haram, skabt alvorlige sikkerhedsproblemer i Nigeria. Denne ustabilitet har udsat kinesiske statsborgere og projekter for risiko, herunder bortførelser og drab. På baggrund af sekundære kilder undersøger afhandlingen, hvordan Kina kan støtte større stabilitet i Nigeria på måder, der samtidig beskytter kinesiske personer og investeringer og hjælper Nigeria med at tiltrække mere FDI. Med Kinas allerede betydelige tilstedeværelse i landet kan Kina spille en rolle i at hjælpe Nigeria og Den Afrikanske Union (AU) med at udforme politikker, der styrker fred og sikkerhed. Samtidig kan Kinas erklærede politik om ikke-intervention begrænse, hvor langt Kina vil gå. For at vurdere, hvad Kina sandsynligvis vil gøre, anvender afhandlingen to teorier fra international politik: realisme og liberalisme, som tilbyder modsatrettede syn på staters adfærd. Begge perspektiver er relevante i analysen, men konklusionen er, at Kina udviser flere liberale tendenser end realistiske. Det peger på, at Kina kan vælge at engagere sig i Nigeria, ikke nødvendigvis militært, men gennem diplomati og andre ikke-militære virkemidler.
Nigeria relies heavily on foreign direct investment (FDI), meaning investments made directly by foreign companies in local businesses, infrastructure, or production. China and Nigeria have complementary interests: China seeks crude oil, and Nigeria seeks more FDI to support growth and development. Since around 2011, political instability—especially linked to Boko Haram—has created serious security challenges in Nigeria. This instability has put Chinese citizens and projects at risk, including kidnappings and killings. Drawing on secondary sources, the thesis examines how China could support greater stability in Nigeria in ways that also protect Chinese people and investments, thereby helping Nigeria attract more FDI. Given China’s significant presence in the country, it could help Nigeria and the African Union (AU) develop policies that strengthen peace and security. At the same time, China’s stated non-interference policy may limit how far it is willing to go. To assess what China is likely to do, the thesis uses two international relations theories—Realism and Liberalism—which offer contrasting views of state behavior. Both perspectives appear in the analysis, but the conclusion is that China shows more liberal than realist tendencies. This suggests China may choose to engage in Nigeria, not necessarily through military means, but via diplomacy and other non-military tools.
[This abstract was generated with the help of AI]
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