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China-Africa Infrastructure Cooperation:Building the Groundwork for a Better Future

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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

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NESREA Seals 29 Facilities in South West for Violation of Environmental Laws

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NESREA Seals 29 Facilities in South West for Violation of Environmental Laws

By: Michael Mike

The Director General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency (NESREA), Prof. Innocent Barikor on has made good his promise to residents of Ogijo, a community in Ogun State, as the agency sealed nube recycling facilities for environmental pollution.

The ongoing enforcement exercise in the South West Zone of the country has also seen the sealing of 20 other facilities in Ekiti, Osun and Ogun States.

Barikor said the enforcement exercise is in line with the mandate of the NESREA, which gives the agency the responsibility of prohibiting activities and processes which undermine environmental quality.

He noted that it had become expedient to take drastic action against non-compliant recyclers in Ogijo community in Ogun State as their operations have continued to endanger the environment and lives of the citizens.

Barikor said: “The situation in Ogijo has been of concern due to the harmful activities of battery and scrap metal recyclers. Improper disposal of hazardous slag from battery recycling threatens environmental degradation and public health risks from toxic lead content. Tests have revealed presence of lead in residents, resulting in illnesses and deaths.”

He stated that the failure of the facilities to adopt best available technology in their operations was in contravention of the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations 2024.

Barikor noted that: “There have been several stakeholders intervention which involved Federal and State Ministries of Environment, NESREA, State Environmental Protection Agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations and development partners in a bid to get the facilities to upgrade their operations to more environmental friendly technology and institute sustainable plan for management of slag and other waste from their processes but a recent tour of the community revealed total disregard for environmental laws of the land, a clear signal that some of these facilities do not have any intention of complying and their continued operation is a big threat to the health of residents and the environment in which they live.”

He stressed that the sealing of the facilities was therefore to protect the lives of vulnerable citizens and put a stop to the operations of the recycling facilities that undermine the law and expose Nigerians to danger.

He disclosed that: “These facilities were closed for violating the provisions of the National Environmental (Battery Control) Regulations, 2024. Their offences include lack of Environmental Documents such as Environmental Audit Report (EAR), Environmental Impact Statement, Permits; Lack of Fume treatment plant; indiscriminate discharge of black oil; failure to carry out blood-lead test on staff; no proper slag management, manual battery breaking and washing and non-compliance with the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) Programme.”

The Facilities sealed in Ogijo, Ogun State were: Vedanta Metal Industries Limited; Metal Manufacturing Nigeria Limited; African Non-Ferrous Limited; True Metals Nigeria Limited; BPL Nigeria Limited, Lagos Ibadan Express Way; Hanushi Manufacturing Limited , Lagos Ibadan Express Way; Pristine Elt. Pvt. Limited; Timto Alu Company Limited; and Ecomade Industries Limited.

Enforcement was also carried out in the construction and quarry sectors where a total of 10 sites were sealed for lack of Environmental Documents contrary to the provisions of the National Environmental (Construction Sector) Regulations, 2011 and the National Environmental (Quarrying and Blasting Operations) 2013 respectively

In the Domestic and Industrial Plastic sector, Five facilities were shutdown for operating in flagrant disregard for the National Environmental (Domestic and Industrial Plastic, Rubber and Foam Sector) Regulations 2011. They operated without Environmental documents, lack of fume abatement technology, non-submission of Quarterly Compliance Monitoring Report

One (1) facility, GS Agriculture Limited, Osogbo, Osun State was sealed for violating the he National Environmental (Food, Beverages and Tobacco. Sector) Regulations 2009. The facility was faulted for not having the necessary Environmental Documents.

In the Non-Metallic Mineral Manufacturing sector, One (1) facility, West Stone and Marble Processing Company Limited Ikirun, Osun State was sealed for Non Submission of Environmental Audit Report (EAR).

For refusal to comply with the National Environmental (Motor Vehicle and Miscellaneous Assembly) Regulations 2011, One (1) facility, Icheetah Nigeria Limited , Abeokuta was shutdown.

Enforcement of the National Environmental (Protection of Endangered Species in International Trade) Regulations, 2011 led to the sealing of One (1) facility, Solomon Kensington Agro Allied, Iperu- Remo in Ogun State. The operators failed to provide relevant Environmental documents, install and Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP), refused to provide the Agency with comprehensive list of animal species being kept.

Barikor further states, “Our duty to Nigerians is a solemn responsibility. We are no longer appealing to any facility to comply with the laws, when you refuse to obey, you face the consequences. We will not hesitate to enforce the law.”

NESREA Seals 29 Facilities in South West for Violation of Environmental Laws

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Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre

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Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre

By: Michael Mike

The Minister of Interior, Hon. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo has announced that Nigeria’s first Centralised Passport Personalisation and Production Centre is now completed and fully ready to be deployed to end the challenges facing the nation’s passport issuance process.

Speaking at the tour of facility at the Nigeria immigration Service (NIS) headquarter in Abuja on Thursday, the Minister described the acquisition of the facility as a landmark moment in the ongoing reform aimed at transforming the country’s passport issuance system and eliminate backlogs permanently.

He said the project represents one of the boldest steps by the administration of President Bola Tinubu to modernise the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and align it with global best practices.

According to him, unlike in the past when passports were personalised across 96 locations in Nigeria and the diaspora, the new centralised model consolidates production into a single hub for efficiency, quality assurance, and uniformity.

He noted that: “Nigeria is now in the league of countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, France, Russia, India, and Bangladesh that run centralised passport personalisation centres,” stressing that: “This is a big win for the government and a major shift towards efficiency and reliability.”

The new facility, built in partnership with IRISMAT Technologies Limited, deploys advanced machines capable of producing up to 1,000 passports per hour—a massive leap from the previous Iskra machines which only produced 250–300 passports per day.

With this capacity, the NIS can now produce between 4,500 and 5,000 passports daily, enabling Nigerians to receive approved passports within 24 hours to one week.

Tunji-Ojo said: “This centre puts an end to the era of backlogs and delays. When this administration came on board, we inherited over 204,000 pending applications. That chapter is now closed. Everything is automated and efficient, ensuring Nigerians get value for their money.”

He highlighted other key reforms achieved under the current administration to include: Migration to a single passport series – eliminating the old dual “A and B” series system to strengthen document integrity; Diaspora coverage – ensuring all missions abroad now issue the enhanced B-series passport; Global authentication compliance, which means Nigeria has been fully integrated into the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO)‘s Public Key Directory (PKD), boosting international acceptance of its travel documents.

He stated that: “These reforms ensure that no two Nigerians carry different passport types, enhance global trust in our documents, and position Nigeria as a serious player in global travel systems.”

The Minister credited the project’s success to strong collaboration between government, the NIS, and IRISMAT Technologies Limited.

He emphasised that the facility was not funded directly from government coffers but through a strategic partnership designed to deliver value.

He also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu, the Ministry’s Permanent Secretary, the Comptroller-General of Immigration, and all NIS officers who worked tirelessly to deliver what he called “a career and time-defining project.”

Responding to concerns about how the project will impact citizens, the Minister assured Nigerians that the centralisation will drastically reduce waiting time for new passports and changes of data.

He said: “We promised two weeks, but we are working towards one week. With this centre, Nigerians no longer have to wait endlessly. What matters most is service efficiency, and this project guarantees that.”

He described the project as historic, noting that since the establishment of the Immigration Service in 1963, Nigeria had never built such a facility.

“With this centre, Nigeria now stands shoulder-to-shoulder with advanced nations in the management of travel documents. It is a legacy project that will define the future of our passport system,” he said.

Nigeria Unveils World-Class Centralised Passport Personalisation Centre

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Police arrest 18 ESN suspects, recover arms and ammunition in Imo

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Police arrest 18 ESN suspects, recover arms and ammunition in Imo

By: Zagazola Makama

The Police Command in Imo has arrested 18 suspected members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), including male and female accomplices, and recovered arms, ammunition and other exhibits in Oguta Local Government Area of the state.

Zagazola learnt that the arrests followed the routine dislodgement of terrorist camps in Umuaka, Njaba LGA, and Ezioha, Mbaitoli LGA, on Sept. 17, which forced fleeing kingpins into hiding in Agwa, Oguta LGA.

Sources said operatives of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit trailed the suspects to Obudi and Ubah communities in Agwa, where 18 suspects were arrested.

They were identified as Okeabia Onyiyechi, 38; Ndukwe Ebube, 19; Mmadubueze Promise, 20; Raphael Echefu, 19; Ibaku Chigemezu, 19; Chika Augustine, 22; Ibuku Pascal, 22; Mbojisochukwu Odueze, 18; Obioma Emenyionu, 21; Christopher Ugonna, 28; Ozioma Onwatugws, 17; Mathew Chibuenyi, 16; Orusakwe Favour, 19; Uzochi Nkiruka, 45; Uzochi Adaeze, 20; Akubuome Chialuka, 20; Ibuaku Caroline, 50; and Godwin Okechukwu Uzochi, 22, all from Oguta LGA and its environs.

Items recovered from the suspects included one AK-47 rifle, three AK-47 magazines, one pump action gun, 90 rounds of live cartridges, two Biafra flags, and various criminal charms.

The sources added that two suspects sustained gunshot injuries during the raid and are undergoing treatment at the Police Clinic.

The sources noted that some of the arrested suspects confessed to several killings within the state, while others were identified in viral videos with terrorist commanders.

“The command is intensifying efforts to track down other fleeing terrorist kingpins, many of whom escaped with bullet wounds during the encounter,”the sources said.

Police arrest 18 ESN suspects, recover arms and ammunition in Imo

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