Summary of the Key Points
This article illustrates the real situation of Chinese people "going overseas to Africa" through the author's conversation during a dinner with Chinese friends in Nairobi, Kenya. On the surface, Chinatown appears overcrowded, with new businesses emerging in large numbers and a significant increase in the Chinese population. However, the underlying logic of survival is similar to that in China: relying on connections and engaging in opportunistic behavior. The cost of living is astonishingly high. Chinese people from diverse backgrounds (such as those who have left state-owned enterprises, recent graduates from prestigious universities, and those who have switched careers in the real estate industry) face a dilemma between opportunities and confusion. Meanwhile, the rapid expansion of Kenyan cities has also led to environmental issues and the loss of personal youth.
1. Overcrowding in Chinatown: Chinese people are gathering in Nairobi, but competition is intensifying
Chinatown in Nairobi is as bustling as the commercial streets in small Chinese towns back home—there are no parking spaces available for dining, and new dance and martial arts classes for Chinese children can easily attract local kids (who had all left during the pandemic but have now returned). Additional commercial buildings serving the Chinese community, such as the second phase of Chinatown and OCT-World, are nearing completion, which will only exacerbate traffic problems. Flights to China are also fully booked; there are three direct flights per week, and some estimate that there might be up to 100,000 Chinese people in Nairobi (the author believes the number is even higher). However, competition is heating up, as evidenced by the price wars in the real estate market.
2. "Going overseas to Africa" is a myth? It's just like moving to a small Chinese town to make a living
The author argues that the concept of "going overseas to Africa" is misleading. Nairobi feels like a fifth-tier city in China, with problems such as corruption, clan-based relationships (where locals use connections to get things done), and a monopoly by a few elites who control resources, leaving the lower classes with few opportunities. To succeed, one must adapt to local rules and engage in opportunistic behavior. Those who were successful in China will still do well in Africa; those who are dissatisfied with certain aspects of Chinese society will struggle there as well. For example, Mr. Wang, who left a state-owned enterprise, used his connections to start a business that generates more profit than his position as a department head in China would have.
3. How expensive is life in Kenya? Even a $100 per day allowance isn't enough
Chinese food is incredibly expensive—a bowl of beef noodles costs 50 yuan, and eating out daily costs between 200 and 300 yuan. Mr. Wu, a recent graduate from a prestigious university, receives a $100 (about 700 yuan) allowance from his company but spends 50 yuan on rent (350 yuan) each day, with little left after covering food and transportation expenses. A Chinese cabbage costs 20 yuan, and even茅台 is sold for over 3,000 yuan a bottle (the same wine that was served at the dinner). Mr. Wu laments, "There's not much to learn here; I still have to make up stories for my daily and weekly reports."
4. The varied experiences of Chinese people in Africa
- Mr. Wang: A former employee of a state-owned enterprise who has lived in Africa for over a decade. His child was admitted to university in the United States, so he has no worries about his future. He uses his connections from his previous job to start a business and earns more than he did as a department head in China, finding the climate in Kenya to be pleasant year-round.
- Mr. Wu: A recent graduate from a prestigious university sent by his company to study the market in Africa. He feels that the research is trivial and wonders if staying there will make him lazy and outdated.
- The real estate entrepreneur: Someone who made billions in China came to Africa thinking it would be an easier opportunity, but the author criticizes this mindset, arguing that only those who are struggling in China would consider moving there.
- Mr. Zhou: He bought property in China for 20,000 yuan per square meter, but now no one wants to buy it for that price. He regrets not investing in land in Kenya; back then, his money could have bought three properties, and now the rent from those properties would cover his expenses.
5. Fifteen years of transformation: From a grassland to a "concrete jungle"
The author has been in Africa for fifteen years, and the grasslands outside Nairobi Airport have been replaced by high-rise buildings, supermarkets, and hospitals. Brands like KFC and JAVA Coffee have spread to the suburbs. The local population is young (many families have four or five children), and new markets are emerging (for example, diapers were once unnecessary, but now they are widely used). However, there are clear costs: the original forests have disappeared, replaced by a "concrete jungle," and the author's own youth has also passed. He advises 23-year-old Xiao Ma, "If you make money, don't buy a house in China; buy some land in Kenya instead."
This article doesn't promote any grand illusions about "going overseas to Africa"; it portrays the reality of life there—some people find opportunities, while others feel lost and unable to leave. It's just like living in a small Chinese town, filled with contradictions and genuine experiences.