Lome, August 21 (Xinhua) — Infrastructure cooperation, opening up a new path for African development – one of the series of comments on genuine, friendly and sincere China Africa cooperation
Since the beginning of this year, China and Africa have achieved fruitful cooperation in the field of infrastructure. All units of the Karuma Hydropower Station in Uganda have achieved the goal of power generation and grid connection, the first phase of the Lagos Light Rail Red Line Project in Nigeria has been opened, and the main construction of the Swak Dam in Kenya has been completed… The achievements of China Africa infrastructure cooperation are spread throughout this hopeful continent of Africa, improving infrastructure and connectivity, enhancing economic and social development conditions, promoting the industrialization, modernization, and integration process of Africa, and opening up a new path for Africa’s development.
Energy facilities support green development in Africa. China has assisted African countries in building a large number of clean energy projects. In Kenya, the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station, the largest photovoltaic power station in East Africa built by Chinese enterprises, has an average annual power generation of over 76 million kilowatt hours and can reduce approximately 64000 tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually; The construction of the Kereta hydropower station in Guinea has greatly alleviated the electricity shortage in the capital city of Conakry and surrounding areas. The actual rendering of the hydropower station has been printed on the back of a 20000 Guinea franc banknote. China actively promotes the “going global” of a number of green energy technologies, products and experiences, such as hydropower, wind power, solar energy and geothermal energy. Hydropower, wind power and photovoltaic power stations have grown from scratch, helping more and more African countries participating in the “the Belt and Road Initiative” to realize their green and low-carbon development dreams. Kenyan National Assembly Speaker Moses Masika Wetangula stated that green development is an inevitable choice for Africa to achieve sustainable development, and China has always been a reliable partner for Kenya. China’s support is crucial for Africa’s development.
This is a drone photo of the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station in Kenya taken on February 15, 2019. In Garissa County, northeastern Kenya, the Garissa Photovoltaic Power Station, the largest photovoltaic power station in East Africa built by a Chinese enterprise, effectively solved the local electricity shortage problem, continuously provided clean electricity to the local people, and injected green energy into Kenya’s development. Shen Jizhong
The construction of transportation accelerates the flow of resources and factors in Africa. To become rich, first build roads. “This Chinese development” golden rule “continues to be confirmed in Africa. In Kenya, the Mombasa Nairobi Railway, known as the “Happiness Road,” significantly improves the transportation efficiency of port materials to the hinterland of East Africa, greatly reduces logistics costs, and accelerates the development of commercial trade along the route; The Mose Highway project in Lesotho was completed and handed over in June this year, and it is expected that the travel time for the entire line will be reduced from 4 hours to 1.5 hours; The Abuja City Railway, constructed by Chinese enterprises, held its commercial operation launch ceremony in May this year, which will greatly alleviate the traffic congestion pressure in the Nigerian capital and inject new vitality into the local economic development. Nigerian President Tinubu stated that the operation of the Abuja City Railway is a result of “cooperation, dedication, progress, and foresight”.
Park cooperation promotes the industrialization process in Africa. The China Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, Senegal’s Diamniju Industrial Park, Nigeria’s Lequi Free Trade Zone, and the China Egypt Teda Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone are all examples of China Africa industrial infrastructure deepening cooperation and upgrading, playing a role in attracting investment from African countries and accelerating the development of “Made in Africa”. Originating from China’s investment, technology, and operational experience, it provides rich nourishment for the industrialization process and development revitalization of countries in the global South. David Bahati, Minister of State for Industry at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Cooperation of Uganda, said that Chinese companies and investors operating industrial parks in Uganda utilize local resources to develop manufacturing industries, helping Africa China industrial cooperation to continuously reach new heights, which is in line with the goals of the African Union’s Agenda 2063. I look forward to these industrial parks nurturing more local African brands and bringing ‘Made in Africa’ to the world
Port construction creates new opportunities for African trade. In recent years, the first phase of the Kribi Deepwater Port project in Cameroon, which was constructed and operated by Chinese enterprises, has been officially put into use. It has begun to welcome and send off large vessels of tens of thousands of tons, providing new development opportunities for neighboring inland countries such as the Central African Republic and Chad. The groundbreaking ceremony for the first modern large-scale fishing port in Tanzania, the Kirwa Fishing Port project, undertaken by Chinese enterprises, is expected to become an important lever for activating the growth points of Tanzania’s new economic sector as a flagship project of the government’s third five-year plan. Raymond Tavares, representative of the Central African region of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization, said that the Kribi deep-water port has played a vital role in promoting infrastructure construction, employment, trade and investment in Cameroon, accelerating the economic and social development of Cameroon, and participating in the joint construction of the “the Belt and Road” is an important part of Africa’s industrialization and sustainable development.
On April 5th, workers were working in the factory workshop at the Mbale Industrial Park in Mbale, Uganda. Since its launch in March 2018, this national industrial park in Uganda has attracted more than 40 enterprises to settle in, creating over 5000 job opportunities for the local area. Photo by Xinhua News Agency reporter Li Yahui
Infrastructure construction is the cornerstone of Africa’s development, and improving the condition of infrastructure is a common expectation and urgent desire of African countries. Under the mechanism of the Forum on China Africa Cooperation, Chinese enterprises have added and upgraded over 10000 kilometers of railways, nearly 100000 kilometers of highways, nearly a thousand bridges, and nearly a hundred ports in Africa. They have also built power supply and communication networks for multiple countries, making important contributions to promoting connectivity on the African continent.
The prosperity of China Africa cooperation leads to the prosperity of South South cooperation. If both China and Africa develop well, the world will be better. The cooperation between China and Africa in the new era is the only way for both sides to achieve common development. It will lay a more solid material foundation for building a closer China Africa community with a shared future, and inject strong impetus into promoting the collective rise of developing countries and pushing the international power balance towards a more balanced direction.