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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
KACRAN Applauds Dr. Goje’s Commitment to Advancing Buni’s Policies in Yobe
KACRAN Applauds Dr. Goje’s Commitment to Advancing Buni’s Policies in Yobe
By: Michael Mike
The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has commended the newly appointed Acting Secretary to the Yobe State Government, Dr. Mohammed Goje, for what it described as his zeal, competence and commitment to driving the policies and programmes of Governor Mai Mala Buni.
In a statement issued on Sunday in Damaturu by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, the association said Dr. Goje’s appointment had generated widespread positive reactions across Yobe State, especially among residents familiar with his performance as former Executive Secretary of the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA).
KACRAN described the appointment as timely and well-deserved, noting that Dr. Goje distinguished himself through sacrifice, loyalty and dedication to humanitarian service while at SEMA.
The association particularly recalled his role in coordinating relief and support for victims of flooding in Maiduguri and parts of Yobe State, saying his response demonstrated leadership capacity and ability to deliver under pressure.
According to the statement, the large turnout of Permanent Secretaries, Directors, traditional representatives, Special Advisers, security personnel, journalists, SEMA staff and other well-wishers during his assumption of office reflected the confidence many stakeholders have in his leadership.
“KACRAN is impressed by the smooth transition and the immediate positive energy Dr. Goje has brought to the Office of the SSG,” Bello stated.
“From his articulate remarks during the handover to his engagements within the first week in office, he has shown he understands the task ahead and is ready to sacrifice his time and effort to ensure Governor Buni’s policies are implemented effectively.”
The association added that Dr. Goje’s previous working relationship with the Governor’s Office and former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Baba Malam Wali, had equipped him with the experience needed to coordinate government activities effectively.
KACRAN further praised his consultative leadership style, citing his engagements with commissioners, permanent secretaries, directors and other critical stakeholders as evidence of his readiness to foster collaboration and improve governance.
The association also commended Governor Buni for appointing what it termed a committed and experienced public servant capable of supporting the administration’s development agenda and campaign promises.
In the same vein, KACRAN applauded the Yobe State Head of Service, Alhaji Abdullahi Musa Shehu, for efforts aimed at reforming and strengthening the state civil service through training and capacity-building programmes.
The association specifically hailed the ongoing training of Yobe teachers in Kaduna, describing it as a strategic investment toward improving the quality of education in the state.
KACRAN reaffirmed its support for policies and initiatives geared toward promoting good governance, security and the welfare of pastoralists and other citizens, while pledging continued partnership with the Yobe State Government in advancing development objectives
KACRAN Applauds Dr. Goje’s Commitment to Advancing Buni’s Policies in Yobe
News
Zulum Visits Bama Windstorm Victims, Approves Relief for Bereaved Families
Zulum Visits Bama Windstorm Victims, Approves Relief for Bereaved Families
By: Michael Mike
Borno State Governor, Prof. Babagana Zulum on Sunday visited Bama town in the state to sympathise with victims of a devastating windstorm that destroyed hundreds of homes and claimed lives in the community.
The governor, who travelled to the affected area alongside top government officials, announced immediate relief measures for victims, including a cash donation of N500,000 to each family that lost a relative in the disaster.
Zulum was accompanied on the visit by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Bukar Talba, the Secretary to the Borno State Government, Bukar Tijani, Acting Chief of Staff, Babagana Malumbe, former commissioners and other senior government officials.

Addressing residents during the visit, the governor directed an immediate assessment of the scale of destruction caused by the windstorm, assuring affected households that government assistance would be provided according to the level of damage suffered.
The disaster, which swept through parts of Bama town, reportedly destroyed rooftops, buildings and other properties, leaving many residents homeless and vulnerable.
Chairman of Bama Local Government Area, Babagana Barma, disclosed that no fewer than 1,200 houses were affected by the storm, while four persons lost their lives.
Zulum described the incident as unfortunate and expressed condolences to bereaved families, assuring them that the state government would continue to stand by victims during the difficult period.

The governor, however, used the occasion to raise concerns over environmental degradation, warning residents against indiscriminate tree felling, which he identified as a major contributor to the increasing occurrence of windstorms and ecological disasters in the region.
“We must stop cutting down trees arbitrarily. This is a key factor behind the increasing intensity of storms and ecological challenges we face. We already have laws on the ground, and there is a need to ensure that we fully implement them,” he said.
Environmental experts have repeatedly warned that deforestation and desert encroachment remain major threats in many parts of northern Nigeria, particularly in states within the Sahel region, where changing climate patterns have continued to worsen flooding, erosion and wind-related disasters.
Borno State has in recent years intensified campaigns on environmental protection and tree planting as part of broader efforts to combat desertification and climate-related challenges.
During the visit, Zulum also reiterated his administration’s commitment to the safe return of displaced persons currently residing in Internally Displaced Persons camps across the state.
He assured residents that government would continue to pursue policies aimed at restoring communities devastated by years of insurgency and humanitarian crises.
Bama, one of the communities worst affected by the Boko Haram insurgency, has continued to witness gradual reconstruction and resettlement efforts under the present administration, despite recurring security and environmental challenges.
Zulum Visits Bama Windstorm Victims, Approves Relief for Bereaved Families
News
UNIFEMGA Urges Positive Mindset, National Unity as Key to Nigeria’s Growth
UNIFEMGA Urges Positive Mindset, National Unity as Key to Nigeria’s Growth
By: Michael Mike
Members of the Obafemi Awolowo University Muslim Graduates’ Association (UNIFEMGA) have called on Nigerians to embrace positive thinking, patriotism and collective responsibility as essential ingredients for national transformation and sustainable development.
The association made the call in a communiqué issued at the end of its 2026 Annual National Re-union held at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Osun State, between May 8 and May 10.
The conference, themed “The Potential Within Nigeria: Positive Mindset and Communication for Success,” brought together Muslim professionals, academics, business leaders and alumni from across the country to deliberate on issues affecting national development, education, governance and economic growth.
The communiqué, signed by the National President of the association, Mohamed Buari, and the National Secretary, Sefiu Ikudaisi, stressed that Nigeria possesses abundant human and material resources capable of transforming the country into a global economic and political force if citizens adopt the right mindset and attitudes.
According to the association, negative narratives, disunity and poor value orientation have continued to undermine the country’s enormous potential.
It noted that Islam encourages development, innovation and the pursuit of knowledge capable of improving the quality of life, provided such advancements remain within the ethical boundaries prescribed by the religion.
The conference commenced with a special Jumat service at the OAU Central Mosque of Unity and a courtesy visit to the Vice-Chancellor of the university, Adebayo Simeon Bamire, and other principal officers of the institution.
During the visit, discussions centred on issues of mutual interest, with the university management reportedly commending the association for its contributions to the growth and development of the institution.
A major highlight of the reunion was the presentation of scholarships worth N14.6 million to 140 students of the university as part of the association’s welfare and educational support programme.
UNIFEMGA disclosed that since the introduction of the scholarship initiative in the 2009/2010 academic session, it has disbursed over N103.4 million to 1,148 students of the institution.
The association also launched a N200 million endowment fund targeted at supporting widows and orphans of members under its welfare scheme.
The event featured a networking dinner sponsored by the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the association, Rafiu Ebiti, focusing on value-driven entrepreneurship and investment opportunities.
The reunion lecture was delivered by the Director-General of the National Orientation Agency, Lanre Issa-Onilu, while the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Matrix Energy Group, Abdulkabir Adisa Aliu, chaired the occasion.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Osun State Government, including Governor Ademola Adeleke, represented by his Senior Special Assistant on Religious Affairs, Bello Adeniyi, as well as the Pro-Chancellor of the university, Adejare Bello.
The association expressed concern over the growing challenges confronting tertiary education in Nigeria, including brain drain, obsolete learning equipment, unstable academic calendars and outdated curricula.
It urged the government to urgently address the problems and transform the current “japa” trend into an opportunity for “brain gain” capable of enhancing national productivity and innovation.
UNIFEMGA further called for stronger collaboration between universities and the private sector to ensure sustainable research, innovation and technological advancement.
On the economy, the association urged governments at all levels to create an enabling business environment through improved electricity supply, infrastructure development and investment in human capital.
It also stressed the need to tackle unemployment, warning that many jobless youths are vulnerable to manipulation by individuals promoting violence and instability.
The association said that a positive national mindset remains the foundation for building a prosperous and united Nigeria, urging citizens to embrace values that promote peace, productivity, discipline and national cohesion.
UNIFEMGA Urges Positive Mindset, National Unity as Key to Nigeria’s Growth
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