Key Pledges on the Sidelines of China-Africa Summit

African leaders have secured a series of commitments aimed at strengthening cooperation across sectors such as infrastructure, agriculture, mining, trade, and energy during bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of China's largest summit in years. The Africa-China forum, hosted in Beijing, saw significant deals struck, further solidifying the partnership between the two regions. Here’s a closer look at the key pledges made during the summit:

Kenyan Infrastructure Projects

Kenya’s President William Ruto successfully negotiated further collaboration with China to expand the country’s Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which connects Nairobi with the port city of Mombasa. The SGR, financed by Exim Bank of China, is a critical infrastructure project for Kenya, and the expansion is expected to enhance the country's transport network significantly.

Additionally, President Ruto secured a commitment from China to cooperate on the development of the Rironi-Mau Summit-Malaba motorway, a project expected to cost $1.2 billion. This pledge follows Ruto's request last year for a $1 billion loan from China, alongside the restructuring of existing debt to complete other stalled construction initiatives. Kenya’s debt to China currently stands at over $8 billion.

Ruto also announced that China has agreed to open its markets to more agricultural products from Kenya, providing a boost to the country’s agricultural sector.

Zimbabwe’s Avocado Export Deal

Zimbabwe has struck a deal to export fresh avocados to China, joining other African nations like Kenya and South Africa in tapping into the Chinese market. The agreement marks a significant step for Zimbabwe’s agricultural sector, which is seeking to diversify its export destinations.

Moreover, China has pledged deeper cooperation with Zimbabwe in sectors including agriculture, mining, energy, and transportation infrastructure. Beijing has also promised to support upgrades to Zimbabwe’s industrial capacity and encourage Chinese enterprises to invest in the southern African nation.

Tanzanian Railways Revitalization

Tanzanian President Samia Suluhu Hassan secured a commitment from China to advance progress on the long-stalled Tanzania-Zambia Railway Authority (TAZARA) project. The railway, a decades-old link between Tanzania and Zambia, is crucial for expanding transport connections in eastern Africa, a region rich in natural resources.

China, Tanzania, and Zambia signed an agreement to rehabilitate the TAZARA project, with Zambian media reporting that China has pledged $1 billion towards this effort.

Zambia’s Solar Power Expansion

Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema announced a deal between Zambia’s state-owned power company ZESCO and Beijing’s PowerChina to enhance the use of rooftop solar panels across the country. The agreement aims to address Zambia’s ongoing energy deficit, exacerbated by recent drought conditions, by expanding solar energy capacity.

Nigeria-China Trade Collaboration

Nigeria and China have agreed to expand their regional monetary and financial partnership, which will include local currency swaps to promote trade. This collaboration also extends to intelligence-sharing efforts aimed at combating money laundering and terrorism financing.

The two countries have also committed to deepening cooperation in infrastructure development, focusing on transportation, ports, and free trade zones. Furthermore, China has pledged to support the importation of more Nigerian products and to encourage Chinese companies to invest in Nigeria.

The outcomes of the China-Africa summit underscore the growing partnership between China and African nations, with commitments across various sectors set to drive economic growth and development on the continent.