Navigating a Contested Field: A Study on the Practice of a Chinese NGO in Ethiopia

With the emergence of China’s “Going Out” policy in the early 2000s, Chinese non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have attempted to expand their international role by positioning themselves, particularly in Africa, as providers of social welfare and basic services. This paper suggests that Chinese NGOs may be a growing influential force within the international aid arena. The operational dynamics of the China Rural Development Foundation (CRDF), a prominent Chinese NGO in Ethiopia, are critically examined within the context of China’s expanding global influence and evolving approach to international aid. This research provides a nuanced analysis of CRDF’s ground-level operations, exploring the complexities of aid delivery, local responses, and practitioner challenges.

Focusing on CRDF’s activities in Ethiopia since 2015, the research encompasses projects aligned with the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, including school feeding programs, educational resource provision, and women’s employment skills training. CRDF’s unique position as the sole Chinese NGO with a registered local office under the Ethiopian Civil Society Agency offers an opportunity to scrutinize the operational intricacies of Chinese NGOs in Africa. Through examination of practitioner experiences, local stakeholder responses, and the navigation of organizational mandates and governmental influences, the processes shaping China’s international aid praxis in Ethiopia are illuminated. The research explores how various actors adapt to and negotiate cross-cultural challenges and ethical dilemmas encountered in the field.

Employing a multi-method approach, including interviews, participant observation, and document analysis, this research contributes to the discourse on global aid practices, focusing on Chinese NGOs in Africa. The findings engage with debates in development studies and offer insights into the implications for social development and Sino-Ethiopian relations. This research aims to inform policy and practice for Chinese NGOs in Africa, advancing understanding of South-South development cooperation in an increasingly multipolar world.