Artificial states, ethnicity, and the survival of private participation infrastructure projects in Africa (JIBS)

This study explores how colonial-era borders in Africa, which often split ethnic groups across countries, continue to cause conflicts that harm infrastructure projects today. The finding is that these divisions increase project failures, although strong institutions can reduce the negative impact. This research highlights the importance of understanding historical legacies when doing business in Africa.

Citation: Zhang, S., Lu, J.W. 2025. Artificial states, ethnicity, and the survival of private participation infrastructure projects in Africa. Journal of International Business Studies. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41267-025-00772-4