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China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation:Building the Groundwork for a Better Future
China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation:
Building the Groundwork for a Better Future
By: Yi Xin
When speaking of China-Africa cooperation, the word “kaleidoscopic” comes to mind. Recent years have seen fruitful outcomes of the bilateral cooperation in multiple fields. Among them, infrastructure is hardly one to miss.
From the plateau in the east to the coast in the west, from the landlocked countries in the sub-Saharan region to the small island states in the Western Indian Ocean, roads, railways, bridges, ports, schools, hospitals and power stations built with Chinese assistance are paving the groundwork for a better future for a land of promise and potential.
Transport projects drive a more connected future.
“To get rich, build roads first.” This is not just a popular Chinese proverb, but an important takeaway from China’s own development. Drawing on this experience, China has spent decades working with Africa to build the transport backbone necessary for driving economic growth.
It would be remiss not to mention the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway (AADR), a transport artery connecting Ethiopia and Djibouti and the first electrified transnational railway in East Africa. It is a flagship Belt and Road cooperation project, and one of the two main lines of transport in the Outlook on Peace and Development in the Horn of Africa which China put forward in 2022 to support regional countries in addressing security, development and governance challenges.
The railway greatly improved the access of countries along the route to the outside world. It has cut transport time for freight goods from more than three days to less than 20 hours, and reduced the cost by at least one-third. To date, the railway has transported 680,000 passengers and 9.5 million tons of cargo, with an average annual growth rate of 39 percent in revenue. As countries in the region grapple with soaring oil prices, the electrified railway has played an increasingly important role in delivering essential materials such as edible oil and fertilizers to meet the needs of socioeconomic development.
In May this year, the Chinese contractors handed over the railway’s management and operation to the African side after six years of smooth operation. Ethiopian Minister of Finance Ahmed Shide said, “The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway line is an example of the ever-flourishing Sino-African relations. The Sino-African partnership has passed the test of time, demonstrated its resilience, and marks a brighter and strong future.”
In recent years, more and more infrastructure projects in Africa undertaken by China have yielded tangible benefits, often exceeding the traditional transport domain. Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, according to the “China and Africa in the New Era: A Partnership of Equals” white paper, Chinese companies have helped African countries build or upgrade more than 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, nearly 1,000 bridges, nearly 100 ports, 66,000 km of power transmission and distribution, an installed power-generating capacity of 120 million kW, a communications backbone network of 150,000 km, and a network service covering nearly 700 million user terminals.
Blue economy cooperation cultivates talent.
The ocean connects countries; it also bears infinite hope. In recent years, under the Vision for Maritime Cooperation under the Belt and Road Initiative and The Belt and Road Blue Cooperation Initiative, China has taken concrete steps to forge a blue partnership with Africa.
In China-Africa Cooperation Vision 2035 released at the eighth FOCAC Ministerial Conference in 2021, cooperation on the blue economy is listed as a “new growth area” that can “add value to and sustainably utilize marine resources.” The infrastructure projects in this field have created many local jobs and helped train much-needed engineers, technicians and other skilled professionals for Africa.
The Lamu Port Project in Kenya is an exemplar. It has an important place in Kenya Vision 2030, the country’s long-term development blueprint. Built by a Chinese company, the port is part of Kenya’s bid to become a major trading hub in East Africa.
Over three-quarters of the project’s hirees were African. The Chinese companies send experienced and skilled Chinese workers to provide on-the-job training for local recruits. This was met with much enthusiasm among young Africans. More than 2,500 job opportunities with such tailored training produced a large number of skilled workers. After the project was completed, they were able to find new jobs and lead better lives with the skills they mastered.
Green economy cooperation supercharges energy transition.
China has been an important partner in Africa’s green transition. To date, China has undertaken more than 100 clean energy projects under the FOCAC framework, supporting African countries in making better use of clean energy such as solar, hydro, wind and geothermal power.
The De Aar Wind Farm has changed the energy landscape of South Africa. As the first wind power project financed, constructed and operated by a Chinese company in Africa, it supplies 760 million kilowatt-hours of clean electricity annually, meeting the electricity needs of 300,000 households. This has contributed to closing the gap caused by unstable clean energy and addressing the electricity shortage in South Africa.
China’s continuous efforts to help develop infrastructure in Africa over the decades find roots in Confucian philosophy. To quote The Analects, “ A man of virtue, while establishing himself and pursuing success, also works to establish others and enable them to succeed as well.” In other words, in pursuing its own development, China sincerely hopes to see African countries, which are also important members of the Global South, become prosperous and strong.
(Yi Xin is a Beijing-based international affairs commentator.
China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation:
Building the Groundwork for a Better Future
News
Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away
Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum has described the first indigenous Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading (FPSO) vessel, owned by Nigerian oil magnet, Alhaji (Dr) Muhammadu Indimi, as a landmark achievement for Nigeria’s industrial and technological advancement.
Governor Zulum stated this on Saturday, at the sail away ceremony of the EMEM Floating Production, Storage, and Offloading Vessel (FPSO), held at the Drydocks World facility in Dubai, which marked the completion of the vessel, and is now set to depart for Nigeria.

“The sail away of the EMEM FPSO is more than an engineering feat,” the Governor stated. “It is a powerful statement of confidence in Nigeria’s energy future and a reflection of what homegrown enterprise can achieve when guided by vision, discipline, and excellence.”
He began his remarks by thanking the Government and People of Dubai for their hospitality, noting that hosting the milestone in the UAE “underscores the strength of our mutual commitment to innovation, trade, and sustainable development.”
The EMEM FPSO, a $315 million facility with a storage capacity of one million barrels and a production capability of up to 30,000 barrels per day, is the first FPSO to be fully financed by an indigenous Nigerian company, Oriental Energy Resources Limited.

The Governor specifically commended Dr. Muhammadu Indimi and the Oriental Energy Resources team for this “bold accomplishment.”
“This achievement does not only contribute to national output,” he said, “it reinforces our collective belief that Nigeria’s private sector has the capacity to drive growth, create jobs, and compete globally.”
Upon its deployment to Petroleum Mining Lease (PML) 15, the FPSO is expected to boost Nigeria’s oil production and enhance national revenue, aligning with the economic diversification goals of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
Governor Zulum concluded that the project’s success reflects the “resilience, innovation, and self-reliance” that define ongoing efforts to rebuild Borno State.
“It inspires confidence that, with determination and partnership, Nigeria’s best days lie ahead,” he said.

He wished the EMEM FPSO a safe voyage and productive operations, calling it a “symbol of Nigeria’s strength, ingenuity, and promise.”
The event was attended by the Governor of Adamawa, Hon. Ahmadu Umoru Fintiri and his Akwa Ibom state counterpart, Umo Eno; elder statesman Ambassador Babagana Kingibe (GCON); Chairman (CEO) Oriental Energy Resources, Alhaji Muhammadu Indimi; Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri and representative of the Chief Executive, Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC).
Zulum Hails Indimi’s FSPO as $350 Vessel Sail-Away
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VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements
VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements
- As Nigeria reaffirms resolve to champion climate change solutions in Africa
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Belem, Brazil, for Abuja after a successful diplomatic engagement in the South American country where he represented President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the 30th Session of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 30).
This is just as Nigeria has reaffirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.
The Conference convened by Brazil’s President, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, in collaboration with the United Nations and other global partners, was held from November 6 to 7 in the city of Belém, capital of the state of Pará, in the Brazilian Amazon.
During the international engagement, Vice President Shettima joined other world leaders, development partners and business executives at the Leaders’ Climate Summit – COP30, where he delivered a speech on Nigeria’s effort in addressing climate change, saying the nation’s renewed climate agenda represents “not just an aspiration, but a solemn national commitment to preserve the planet for future generations.”
VP Shettima also represented President Tinubu at a high-level thematic session titled, “Climate and Nature: Forests and Oceans,” on the margins of COP 30, where he delivered Nigeria’s bold statement.
Delivering the statement titled, “The Rational Soul of Nature,” he called on global partners “to recognise the economic value of nature and to channel significant finance towards protecting and restoring it through predictable, equitable, and accessible funding mechanisms.”
The Nigerian Vice President also took part in the launch of the Tropical Forest Forever Fund, and participated in a roundtable chaired by President Lula on Climate and Nature, as well as an Amazonian Cocktail for Heads of Delegation, hosted by the President of Brazil.
On the sidelines, Senator Shettima also held bilateral meetings focused on establishing and managing Nigeria’s participation in the carbon markets, enabling the nation to unlock between $2.5 billion and $3 billion annually in carbon finance over the next decade to help meet climate goals.
Meanwhile, Nigeria has affirmed its determination to continue to use its influence to lead the way in seeking solutions to climate change matters in Africa and beyond.
Special Adviser to the President on NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai, who disclosed this in an interview with journalists, gave a recap of the Vice President’s participation in COP 30 held Belem, Brazil.
She said Nigeria will use its influence to mobilize finance for the country, as well as advocate the adaptation finance for African nations in order to collectively tackle the challenges of climate change.
“One thing that I know the whole world would look out for is Nigeria’s leadership in Africa. So we do have our influence in the regional ECOWAS and also at AU platforms to demonstrate that we are that big brother.
“So, we must galvanize all stakeholders, both in public and private sectors, to make sure we implement our National Determined Contributions (NDCs) and make it work for us,” she said.
The presidential aide added that Nigeria’s natural resources will also play a key role in mitigating the effects of climate change.
“The natural capital we have – don’t forget that we are an oil-producing nation and endowed with vast natural gas resources and renewables – we will also continue to use that to implement the NDCs in a way that works for us and addresses the sustainable development challenges that we are facing,” El-Rufai added.
On the passion of the Nigerian government for seeking solutions to climate change matters, El-Rufai said, “Nature and climate are the very home that makes our economy thrive and also gives us the stability to live good lives. So, we are dependent on nature.
“That is why how you consume and use the natural resources is important to ensuring sustainability of livelihoods, economies and everything. So, this why we need to live our lives responsibly and also leave a better future for generations to come.
“The government led by President Bola Tinubu is concentrating on resilience and ensuring that there is long term shared value creation. The government will continue to prioritize climate and nature as well as ensuring that we lead on the necessary climate policies,” the Special Adviser added.
Noting that many countries are yet to submit their NDCs to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), El-Rufai urged them to emulate Nigeria, just as she praised Nigeria for taking the lead.
“There are many countries that haven’t submitted their NDCs yet but Nigeria has. China and EU just submitted; so, you can see we are leading because we also have our Climate Change Act as well as our carbon market framework in place, and that is why the theme for COP 30 is apt: COP of Action and Implementation.
“This COP Presidency said they are not creating anything new; rather, let world leaders seat and operationalize NDCs and make sure all those climate-related finance pledges made at Baku that were brought down from $1.3 trillion to $300 billion come to a reality,” she stated.
VP Shettima Departs Belem For Abuja After Successful COP 30 Engagements
News
Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria
Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria
By: Zagazola Makama
Hundreds of members of the The Islamic Movement in Nigeria (IMN) in Kano on Saturday staged a protest against a viral statement attributed to United States President Donald Trump, suggesting the possibility of a military strike on Nigeria.
The protest, which took place in several parts of the Kano metropolis, saw large crowds chanting anti-US slogans while carrying placards expressing displeasure with the alleged remarks.

Zagazola Makama report that mobilisation for the protest was largely coordinated through Hausa-language social media platforms, where posts claimed that the United States was planning to “attack Nigeria.”
Video footage circulating online showed youths marching, calling for global condemnation of Trump’s alleged comments, and urging Nigerians to defend the country’s sovereignty.
The members said they viewed the comments as provocative and capable of inciting tension.
“The statement is unacceptable. No foreign nation should threaten Nigeria. This protest is to show that we will not allow external aggression,” a protester said.

The narratives circulating online suggest a growing trend of anti-US sentiment in parts of northern Nigeria, fuelled by misinformation, distrust of Western involvement, and emotional messaging tied to religion and national identity.
They expressed concern that such rhetoric, if unchecked, could escalate and be exploited by extremist groups or political actors.
Shaite group Protest in Kano, condemn Trump over alleged statement on attacking Nigeria
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