Abstract:
This study analytically examines the structure and characteristics of China's
Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and African trade networks by applying net work analysis techniques through a critical and in‐depth description of
the international trade of Eastern African countries as part of the world trade
network. Sixty‐four countries' trade flow data between 2000 and 2018 from the
International Monetary Fund, was used, and the network indices indicate that
the BRI significantly enhances the trade network's connectivity. The empirical
results indicate that density, the degree of centralization, and average node
intensity are typically growing, and China is in the central position of the
network. Furthermore, East African intra‐regional trade tends to be more
densely connected under the BRI. This, in effect, demonstrates that the BRI
countries have experienced a rise in intra‐regional trade at different levels of
economic development. Therefore, this study recommends that policymakers
should consider the BRI's critical role in reforming trade policies to build a
resilient and sustainable African economy
