Researcher ORCID Identifier
0000-0002-3969-4041
Graduation Year
2024
Date of Submission
1-2025
Document Type
Campus Only Senior Thesis
Degree Name
Bachelor of Arts
Department
Government
Reader 1
Peter Uvin
Terms of Use & License Information
Rights Information
© 2024 Han Tu
Abstract
This thesis critically examines the narrative surrounding Chinese development projects in Africa, focusing on Kenya’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It challenges the Western “debt trap” discourse, emphasizing the pragmatic motivations of both China and recipient nations. Through historical, financial, and socio-political analysis, it reveals that while BRI projects address infrastructure gaps, they also pose challenges in debt sustainability, transparency, and long-term economic dependency.
The SGR, funded largely by Chinese loans, modernized Kenya’s transport networks, reduced logistical inefficiencies, and spurred short-term growth in construction and tourism. However, its financial viability remains uncertain, with freight volumes below projections and debt servicing straining Kenya’s fiscal resources. The financing structure mirrors standard bilateral and commercial models used globally.
Politically, the BRI enhances China’s soft power through “win-win” rhetoric and educational exchanges, though post-pandemic shifts toward smaller, greener projects reflect a recalibration amid global debt concerns. The SGR’s socio-economic benefits, such as job creation and connectivity, are tempered by risks of dependency and limited local industry upgrading.
The thesis concludes with recommendations for future research, advocating for standardized transparency in bilateral projects, longitudinal studies on mega-infrastructure impacts, and mixed-method approaches to assess public perception. Bridging top-down narratives with localized realities could ensure BRI projects align with national priorities and community aspirations, fostering sustainable development.
Recommended Citation
Tu, Han, "Infrastructure Diplomacy and Development: A Case Study of the Belt and Road Initiative’s Standard Gauge Railway Project in Kenya" (2024). CMC Senior Theses. 3859.
https://scholarship.claremont.edu/cmc_theses/3859
This thesis is restricted to the Claremont Colleges current faculty, students, and staff.
