Unpacking China's Digital Ascent in the Global South
The Case of Huawei in North Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 21793223 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Tin Hinane El Kadi (0000-0002-4986-6513, University of Oxford, corresponding author) |
| Year | 2025 |
| Publication date | 2025-12-15 |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | Global Policy (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1758-5880 • E-ISSN: 1758-5899 |
| Publisher | Wiley (PUBLISHER • GB) |
| DOI | 10.1111/1758-5899.70102 |
| OpenAlex | W4417352058 |
| Language | EN |
| References cited | 15 |
Despite frequent concerns in Western policy and media circles about the risks of using Chinese telecommunications suppliers, firms like Huawei have encountered little resistance from governments or citizens in the Global South. Empirical research explaining this acceptance remains limited. This paper helps fill that gap by examining Huawei's localisation strategy in Algeria and Egypt. Based on 107 interviews conducted between 2021 and 2024, the study shows that Huawei did not impose a one‐size‐fits‐all model. Instead, it adapted to local development priorities, aligning its operations with national goals related to digital infrastructure and knowledge transfer. The company demonstrated flexibility in responding to evolving policy agendas and economic strategies in both countries. While engaging in activities that appear developmental, such as training programmes and infrastructure investment, Huawei has retained control over key technologies to protect its market position. This dual approach has helped the company build political goodwill in Algiers and Cairo and position itself as a central player in both countries' digital ecosystems. The paper concludes with policy recommendations for both developing and Western countries on how to engage with Chinese tech actors more effectively
Digital strategy · Goodwill · Politics · Unpacking · China's Global Influence and Migration · Innovation and Socioeconomic Development · Sociopolitical Dynamics in Nepal
African agency in ICT infrastructure provider choice
Developing information and communication technology with the belt and road initiative and the digital silk road
Inclusive globalization
China’s digital expansion in the Global South
Chinese digital platform companies’ expansion in the Belt and Road countries
Learning along the Digital Silk Road? Technology transfer, power, and Chinese ICT corporations in North Africa
The "Soft State" and the Open Door
Negotiating the technological capacity in Chinese engagements
Huawei and ZTE in Malaysia
Exploring the Human Capital Development Dimensions of Chinese Investments in Africa
| Highly cited | No |
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