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From rents to results: China’s anti-corruption reforms and the effectiveness of aid to Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Du, Yiran
  • Feng, Kai
  • Xu, Gang

Abstract

The governance practices of donor countries are essential to shaping aid effectiveness. This paper investigates the impact of China’s anti-corruption campaign on its aid effectiveness. Leveraging geocoded Chinese aid data and the staggered timing of anti-corruption inspections across aid agencies, we find that the anti-corruption campaign significantly improves the subnational developmental effects of Chinese aid in Africa. Our analysis of the underlying mechanisms suggests that this improvement results not solely from aid being redirected toward better-governed regions, but also from enhanced oversight, efficiency, and information disclosure in project implementation. Finally, we show that China’s anti-corruption campaign also alleviates aid-induced spatial inequality in Africa. This study offers novel insights into how domestic donor governance reforms can generate transnational spillover effects that substantially enhance aid effectiveness in recipient countries.

Suggested Citation

  • Du, Yiran & Feng, Kai & Xu, Gang, 2026. "From rents to results: China’s anti-corruption reforms and the effectiveness of aid to Africa," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:deveco:v:183:y:2026:i:c:s0304387826001240
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jdeveco.2026.103841
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • D73 - Microeconomics - - Analysis of Collective Decision-Making - - - Bureaucracy; Administrative Processes in Public Organizations; Corruption
    • F35 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - Foreign Aid
    • O55 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economywide Country Studies - - - Africa

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