China in Africa’s telecom sector: opportunities for human capital development? A case of Huawei in Nigeria

The inflow of Chinese investments into Africa’s telecom sector presents opportunities for skill building and technology transfer, and African governments through their policy measures and actions can maximize these opportunities. This article examines how Chinese investments in Africa have contributed to human capital development (HCD) and what role the government has played in leveraging these investments. Analysing data from a case study of Huawei in Nigeria, the study finds that Chinese enterprises operating in Africa are well placed to contribute significantly to skill building and technology transfer. However, their efforts need to be supported by government policies, which are important for HCD. This article contributes to the emergent literature on Chinese economic engagement in Africa and its implications for HCD in Africa. Moreover, it provides an insight into the role of government policy in HCD in Africa.