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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
CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege
CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege
By: Bodunrin Kayode
The Commissioner of Police (CP), Nasarawa State Command, Shetima Mohammed, has ordered an intensive manhunt for all perpetrators of the heinous act which led to the death of 11 residents in Udege.
He has equally directed all tactical teams and investigative units to ensure the prompt identification of the killers and further prosecution when they are finally caught.
He gave the directive recently when he
visited Udege Development Area in Nasarawa council Area following the recent communal attack that resulted in loss of lives and destruction of property in the area.
During his visit to the affected communities of Akyawa and Udege Kasa on April 3, 2026, the CP expressed deep sorrow over the tragic incident which claimed the lives of 11 residents and the further burning of several homes.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased and the entire community, assuring them of the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that justice is served accordingly.
The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the same day, involved hoodlums from one side suspected to have carried out a reprisal attack over the alleged killing of two of their kinsmen.
A release signed by the police spokesperson Raman Nansel noted that in the course of the attack, 11 persons were killed, while about 50 homes were burnt in Akyawa while Udege Kasa lost only two residences.
To prevent any further breakdown of law and order, the CP has also directed the immediate reinforcement and sustained deployment of additional Police personnel, in synergy with the Military and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), to provide adequate security and restore lasting peace in the area.
A stakeholders’ meeting was held during the visit, where the CP urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information to support ongoing investigations.
“The Command reassured members of the public that normalcy has been restored to the affected communities, while proactive measures are in place to prevent any recurrence of violence.” Said the release.
CP Nasarawa tasks his personnel to hunt down the culprits of the recent killing of 11 in Udege
News
Zamfara bandits plan reprisals after heavy losses in military, DSS operations that killed Ado Aliero’s son, 65 others
Zamfara bandits plan reprisals after heavy losses in military, DSS operations that killed Ado Aliero’s son, 65 others
By: Zagazola Makama
Armed bandits are reportedly planning coordinated retaliatory attacks across parts of Zamfara State following recent large-scale security operations that resulted in significant losses among their ranks, including the killing of a notorious kingpin’s son and several commanders.
The planned reprisals are believed to be linked to sustained offensives conducted by Nigerian military forces in collaboration with the Department of State Services (DSS) and hybrid security units under Operation FANSAN YANMA, which targeted bandit enclaves in Tsafe Local Government Area and surrounding forest corridors.
The operations reportedly led to the neutralisation of about 65 armed bandits, including high-profile commanders operating under the network of Ado Aliero, a notorious figure linked to years of violent attacks, kidnappings and cattle rustling across Zamfara and neighbouring states.
Among those killed was Kachalla Iliya Sarki, identified as the son of Ado Aliero, alongside other field commanders who were said to play key roles in coordinating armed operations in the region.
Other commanders reportedly eliminated during the offensive included Dogo Sule and Iliya Mai Rasha, as well as additional field leaders who coordinated attacks across Tsafe, Maru and surrounding communities.
The losses are understood to have significantly disrupted the operational structure of the criminal network, even as indications suggest attempts by surviving elements to regroup and launch retaliatory attacks against security formations and nearby communities.
The planned reprisals are also said to involve large-scale movement of armed fighters across forest routes, with motorcycles used for rapid mobilisation and coordination across multiple axes.
The sources said the movement involved suspected bandits operating on over 200 motorcycles, assembling around Unguwar Tsamiya forest axis, with indications that a well-known bandit leader, Bello Turji, had been linked to the planned mobilisation.
Security sources said the sustained operations also dismantled several bandit enclaves in Munhaye and adjoining forest belts, disrupting logistics networks and freeing victims previously held in captivity.
One of the slain commanders, Kachalla Biyabiki, was said to have been holding several abducted victims at the time of the operation, while another leader, Kachalla Dogon Bete, was also neutralised during the engagement.
The development, according to intelligence officials, has significantly weakened the operational structure of Ado Aliero’s network but may also trigger retaliatory violence from surviving fighters seeking revenge.
Security authorities said the latest intelligence pointing to the likelihood of reprisal attacks, particularly against soft targets and isolated rural communities.
They added that surveillance and troop deployments had been intensified across vulnerable locations, with emphasis on forest fringes and highway corridors in Tsafe, Maru, and neighbouring areas.
Authorities also urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements, while assuring that ongoing operations would be sustained to prevent any breakdown of security.
Operation FANSAN YANMA forces, alongside DSS operatives and hybrid units, are continuing clearance operations aimed at dismantling remaining bandit camps and preventing regrouping across the North-West theatre.
Zamfara bandits plan reprisals after heavy losses in military, DSS operations that killed Ado Aliero’s son, 65 others
News
Troops repel bandits’ attack in AgatuBenue
Troops repel bandits’ attack in Agatu
Benue
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the police, repelled an attack by suspected armed bandits on a joint patrol team in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
Security sources said the incident occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on April 4, when the troops on routine patrol encountered the armed bandits.
According to the sources, the bandits opened fire on sighting the troops, leading to a gun duel.
“The troops responded decisively, forcing the bandits to retreat after a brief exchange of fire,” the source said.
The attackers reportedly fled through a nearby river, taking advantage of the difficult terrain.
The sources confirmed that no casualty was recorded among the troops during the encounter.
Following the incident, troops have intensified patrols and commenced combing operations in surrounding bushes to track down the fleeing suspects.
The operation is part of ongoing efforts by the military to curb banditry and sustain peace in the area.
Troops repel bandits’ attack in Agatu
Benue
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