Replication Data for: Citizen Perceptions of the EU's Global Gateway and China's Belt and Road Initiative: Evidence from South Africa and Nigeria

Data from an online survey experimented conducted in Nigeria and South Africa in 2025 to study citizens' perceptions of EU and Chinese development finance. Western donors have responded to competition from Chinese development finance by introducing infrastructure initiatives of their own. Are they effective in helping donors curry favor in recipient countries? We focus on the European Union’s (EU) Global Gateway Initiative, commonly understood as a response to China’s Belt and Road Initiative. In survey experiments fielded in South Africa and Nigeria, we investigate how the public in aid recipient countries perceive EU- and Chinese-funded projects. Compared to China, we find that the EU gains more reputational benefits from funding projects and its involvement as a donor reduces concerns about corruption. However, the effects on improving perceptions of the EU as a donor are otherwise limited because of citizens’ lack of familiarity with the EU. If the Global Gateway is to compete for soft power influence, our research suggests that the EU has to increase its visibility in Africa—perhaps emphasizing its good governance brand.