How the Belt and Road Initiative is transforming Africa’s development landscape

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00:00 In a world driven by global cooperation and mutual growth,

00:04 one initiative stands at the forefront of transforming Africa's development landscape.

00:08 It's the Belt and Road Initiative, BRI, unveiled by the Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2013.

00:16 Today, we explore the remarkable impact of the BRI on Africa's economic and social progress.

00:23 The BRI has become a pivotal platform connecting nations and building a shared future.

00:29 With 151 countries representing almost 75% of the world's population and over half of the global

00:36 GDP joining the BRI as of January 2023, its potential for global economic growth is nothing

00:44 short of extraordinary. Expects projects that by 2040, the BRI could increase the world's GDP by

00:51 a staggering 1.7 trillion annually, benefiting world trade by overcoming the frictions caused

00:57 by the inadequate infrastructure. Over 50 African countries have joined the BRI, embracing the

01:03 rewards of improved infrastructure, reduced unemployment, and expanded trade opportunities.

01:09 Driven by the BRI, Chinese companies have undertaken awe-inspiring infrastructure

01:14 projects in Africa. Over the past 23 years, they've constructed or upgraded more than

01:20 10,000 kilometers of railway, nearly 100,000 kilometers of roads, approximately 1,000 bridges,

01:27 and 100 ports. These transformative projects have not only enhanced trade, but also have created

01:34 over 4.5 million jobs, breathing new life into African communities. Through the BRI, China and

01:41 Africa share their development experiences. Successful projects in different corners of

01:45 Africa exemplify the positive outcomes of the collaborations. Lives have been transformed,

01:51 incomes have grown, and prosperity has flourished. Noteworthy belt and road projects in Africa

01:57 include the development of the El Hamdania Central Port in Algeria, the continent's second

02:03 deep water port. The Export-Import Bank of China has played a crucial role in lending approximately

02:09 $1 billion USD to Djibouti, funding almost 40% of its substantial infrastructure and investment

02:17 projects. The Belt and Road Initiative has brought significant advancement, bridging Ethiopia and

02:23 Djibouti through the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway and Ethiopia-Djibouti Water Pipeline. Furthermore,

02:29 Djibouti has witnessed numerous infrastructure developments, including a military base and ships

02:35 deployed from China's South Sea Fleet. In Egypt, the Belt and Road has introduced various projects,

02:41 such as the Chinese Industrial Zone in the Gulf of Sousse and electric train systems for the new

02:47 capital and investments in the Western Sahara. Kenya experienced a transformative moment when

02:53 Premier Li Keqing signed a cooperation agreement in May 2014 to construct the Mombasa-Nairobi

03:00 Standard Gauge Railway. This is Kenya's most significant infrastructure project since

03:05 independence, costing $3.2 billion USD. Amongst others, Nigeria witnessed commercial operation of

03:11 the Abuja-Katuma Railway line in July 2016, constructed by the China Civil Engineering

03:17 Construction Company, representing one of Nigeria's first standard gauge railroad railway

03:22 modernization projects. Sudan received China's assistance in establishing its oil industry

03:28 and providing agricultural support for the cotton industry. In Tanzania, a momentous $2.2 billion

03:34 contract was signed by a Chinese company in December 2022, aiming to build a railway line

03:39 connecting the Indian Ocean port of Dar es Salaam to Mwanza of Lake Victoria, with future links to

03:45 Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda and Uganda. Chinese companies have contributed

03:51 to Uganda's development by financing two major hydroelectricity projects, the Karoma Hydropower

03:57 Project and Isimba Hydroelectric Power Station, with loans from the Export-Import Bank of China

04:04 covering approximately 85% of the funding, while the government of Uganda provided the 15 remaining

04:10 percent. Rwanda has also experienced significant transformation due to Chinese investment,

04:16 particularly the infrastructure facilities. Projects like integrated Polytechnic Regional

04:21 College, Musanze, Masaka District Hospital and roads upgrades, including the 13-kilometer

04:27 Wijesera Airport Highway and flyover in Chichiro District, have contributed to Rwanda's economic

04:34 and social development. The Belt and Road Initiative continues to drive remarkable

04:38 progress in Africa, forging strong ties between China and African nations,

04:43 while fostering economic growth and cooperation across the continent.

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