Chinese financing in Ethiopia’s infrastructure sector: agency distribution within and outside the state

This article investigates negotiations between Ethiopian actors and Chinese actors in the Ethiopian infrastructure sector. In contrast with predominant narratives reducing the agency of African actors at the state level, it is argued that both Ethiopian state and nonstate actors have been able to pursue their interests before, during, and after the implementation of infrastructure projects. To establish this point, the negotiation strategies of four sets of Ethiopian actors – federal actors, bureaucrats, local business owners and local workers – are analysed. Albeit with differences in the immediate effectiveness of their actions, the article sheds light on how this diversified group of actors shape the outcome of this engagement through different modalities that are defined as non-compliance, cooperation and opposition.