REVIEW : China's Collaboration with Africa: Transforming the Continent

China's commitment to supporting infrastructure development in Africa is rooted in Confucian philosophy, which encourages virtuous people to help others succeed. China genuinely desires the prosperity and strength of African countries as significant members of the Global South.

Yi Xin, a Beijing-based international affairs observer, highlights China's extensive collaboration with Africa, particularly in infrastructure development. This collaboration is revolutionizing the continent, with projects like roads, railways, bridges, ports, schools, hospitals, and power plants driving connectivity and fostering a brighter future.

Transportation Backbone for Economic Growth

China has worked with Africa for decades to build the transportation backbone necessary for economic growth. The Addis Ababa-Djibouti railway, a flagship project of the Belt and Road Initiative, serves as a testament to this commitment. It has significantly improved access to the outside world for countries along its route, reducing transport time for freight goods and cutting costs.

Tangible Benefits Beyond Traditional Transport

China's infrastructure projects in Africa have yielded tangible benefits beyond traditional transport. Since the establishment of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in 2000, Chinese companies have assisted African countries in building or upgrading over 10,000 km of railways, nearly 100,000 km of highways, and a multitude of bridges, ports, power transmission and distribution lines, installed power-generating capacity, and communications infrastructure.

Partnership for Sustainable Blue Economy

In the realm of the blue economy, China has taken concrete steps to forge a partnership with Africa, focusing on sustainable utilization of marine resources. The Lamu port project in Kenya is a notable example, creating local jobs and providing on-the-job training for young Africans. Over three-quarters of the project's hires were African, and more than 2,500 job opportunities with tailored training have been offered.

Supporting Africa's Green Transition

China has also been an important partner in Africa's green transition, supporting countries in making better use of clean energy sources such as solar, hydro, wind, and geothermal power. The De Aar Wind Farm in South Africa, financed, constructed, and operated by a Chinese company, supplies clean electricity to 300,000 households, addressing the country's electricity shortage and unstable clean energy supply.

Transforming the Continent and Promising a Brighter Future

China's diverse cooperation with Africa has transformed the continent, fostering connectivity, cultivating talent, and supercharging the energy transition. The partnership between China and Africa continues to yield tangible benefits, promising a brighter and more prosperous future for both regions.

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