BRI projects light up Africa's prospects

Investment commitments

During the eighth ministerial conference of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Senegal in November, China committed to deepening its investments in Africa's infrastructure needs.

Moussa Faki Mahamat, the chairman of the African Union Commission, signed a memorandum of understanding with He Lifeng, the head of China's National Development and Reform Commission, in December.

"The MoU covers priority sectors such as health, food security, infrastructure and energy," Mahamat wrote on Twitter.

The Africa Policy Institute, in particular, has drawn attention to China's investments in ports under the BRI. Facilities like Lamu in Kenya are expected to provide new gateways to the continent, better link the region to world markets and boost trade and economic development.

Data from the institute indicate that there are some 46 existing or planned port projects in sub-Saharan Africa benefiting from Chinese involvement. Chinese companies have served funders or builders.

Adhere Cavince, a scholar of international relations in Nairobi, said Chinese companies have made huge contributions to infrastructure modernization in Africa through the BRI.

Chinese investors have been increasingly focusing on emerging industries, such as pharmaceuticals and the digital economy, areas of attention that will help secure the continent's economic transformation, he said.