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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
Senator Lawan visits Geidam in Abuja
By: Yahaya Wakili
The President of the 9th Senate, Senator Ahmed Ibrahim Lawan, Ph.D., GCON, Sardaunan Bade, Yobe North Senatorial District, has paid homage to Nigeria’s Minister of Police Affairs and former Yobe State Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Dr) Ibrahim Gaidam, at his Abuja residence.
In a statement issued and signed by him, which was made available to newsmen in Damaturu, the Yobe state capital,.Senator Lawan said that when His Excellency served as Executive Governor of Yobe State between 2009 and 2019, he left enduring legacies, from the introduction and implementation of visionary infrastructure projects to his tireless efforts in education, healthcare, and security.
According to him, under his leadership of the Police Affairs ministry, Sen. Gaidam, in his last year of assuming office, has recorded significant achievements in restoring security to our nation by spearheading efforts to reform and modernize the Nigeria Police Force.
He pointed out that, in addition to advocating for increased funding for the police to ensure adequate resources for operations, recruitment, and training, the ministry under His Excellency has fostered strong collaboration between the police and other security agencies, including the military, intelligence services, and community vigilante groups.
The President of the Ninth Senate revealed that this coordination has enhanced information sharing and joint operations, leading to improved security outcomes.
Senator Ahmed Lawan further said that Sen. Gaidam’s remarkable efforts as Police Affairs Minister have no doubt had a profound impact on our nation’s security landscape. Crime rates have declined significantly, public confidence in the police has been restored, and our communities are a lot safer.
“Beyond our shared history as Senators who both served in the 9th National Assembly and also exchanged views on current national issues, his insights and wisdom are invaluable to any discussion about Nigeria.
“I was filled with gratitude for the opportunity to be hosted by such a distinguished and respected figure. I wish His Excellency well as he continues to serve our great nation with distinction,” he said.
Senator Lawan visits Geidam in Abuja
VP Shettima In Maiduguri, Consoles Victims Of Gwoza Suicide Bombings
*** Says President Tinubu’s heart is with them, makes personal donations to affected persons
By: Our Reporter
In a swift response to the suicide bombings in Gwoza area of Borno State on Saturday, Vice President Kashim Shettima on Monday paid a condolence visit to the victims and families of those who lost their lives in the gory attacks.
He described the incident as pathetic, even as he quoted the late Dele Giwa saying, “One life lost in cold blood is as gruesome as millions lost in cold blood.”
Speaking with journalists immediately after meeting and commiserating with victims of the attack at the State Specialist Hospital, Maiduguri, Senator Shettima conveyed the condolences of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to the Borno State government and the people of Gwoza.
The Vice President who made a personal donation to all the victims of the attacks and condoled with the families of those killed by the multiple explosions, saying the heart of the President is with them.
“The heart of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu is with the victims and he specifically instructed us to come and offer our condolences and commiserations to the victims of this incident.
“We are here with the Director General of @nemanigeria, with the Minister of Agriculture, with the Minister of Transportation and, of course, the Chief Whip of the Senate, a son of the soil from Gwoza, who was here since yesterday (Sunday), and the Acting Governor. They have been working round the clock to provide succor and support to the victims,” VP Shettima stated.
Pegging the death toll at 32, the VP noted that while 42 persons injured in the suicide bomb attacks were brought to the Specialist Hospital, 14 have been discharged after receiving treatment, with 26 still receiving treatment.
He said, “It was a very pathetic scene. Our hearts go out to the victims. So far, we have recorded 32 deaths; 42 of those injured were brought in from Gwoza and about 14 have been discharged, while about 26 are currently receiving attention.”
“I want to use this forum to most sincerely register our profound gratitude to the Borno State government, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and @ICRC_Nigeria for rising to the challenges of the times and giving their best in terms of support.”
While in Maiduguri, the Vice President also attended the funeral prayer for the late mother of former Borno Governor, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, Hajiya Aisa, at the family residence of Late Galadima Modu Sheriff along Damboa Road.
The mother to the former Governor died in Abuja on Sunday at the age of 93 after a protracted illness.
In the VP’s entourage were the Deputy Governor of Borno State, Umar Usman Kadafur; Senate Chief Whip, Senator Ali Ndume; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Senator Abubakar Kyari; Sa’idu Ahmed Alkali; former Nigerian Ambassador to China, Baba Ahmed Jidda; the Director General of NEMA, Zubaida Umar, and other top government officials.
VP Shettima In Maiduguri, Consoles Victims Of Gwoza Suicide Bombings
Zulum griefs passing away of former Borno Governor’s mother
By: Our Reporter
Borno State Governor, Babagana Umara Zulum, has expressed his grief over the passing of the mother of former Borno State Governor, Ali Modu Sheriff, Hajjiya Aisa Modu Sheriff.
Hajjiya Aisa passed away on Sunday in Abuja after battling a prolonged illness at the age of 93. She was laid to rest on Monday at the family residence of the former Governor Sheriff in Maiduguri.
Zulum’s condolence was contained in a statement issued by His Senior Special Assistant on New Media, Abdurrahman Ahmed Bundi, on Monday.
Zulum noted that the passing of the fomer governor’s mother was saddening not only to her immediate family but also to thousands of the people of Borno.
Zulum extended his condolences to the former Governor, Ali Modu Sherriff, and other family members and associates for the huge loss.
Governor Zulum prays to the Almighty Allah to grant repose to the gentle soul of Hajja Aisa Modu Sherriff.
Zulum griefs passing away of former Borno Governor’s mother
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Senator Lawan visits Geidam in Abuja
VP Shettima In Maiduguri, Consoles Victims Of Gwoza Suicide Bombings
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