By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
The African Union Commission
and Chinese institutions have explored ways to deepen continental cooperation
in infrastructure, energy and digital transformation, with both sides agreeing
on the need for more structured engagement aligned with African Union
frameworks and development priorities.
The discussions took place
during a meeting between the Director of the African Union’s Infrastructure and
Energy Directorate, Dr Kamugisha Kazaura, and a joint Chinese delegation led by
Peng Huagang, President of the China Enterprise Reform and Development Society
(CERDS).
The delegation comprised
representatives from the State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration
Commission of the State Council of China (SASAC), CERDS and the Mission of the
People’s Republic of China to the African Union.
Dr Kazaura welcomed the
delegation and acknowledged China’s contribution to Africa’s infrastructure
transformation through investments in roads, railways, ports, energy systems
and submarine cable infrastructure.
While noting that many of
these projects have been implemented through bilateral arrangements with
individual African Union Member States, Kazaura highlighted their broader
contribution to continental integration and their alignment with frameworks
such as the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA).
He cited the
Ethiopia–Djibouti Railway and Kenya’s Mombasa–Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway
and its extension from Nairobi to Naivasha as examples of infrastructure
projects that generate wider regional value by improving connectivity and
supporting trade.
The scale of China’s
contribution to African infrastructure was also highlighted through PIDA’s
first Priority Action Plan. By the end of 2020, China accounted for
approximately USD 19.42 billion, representing about 24 percent of the USD 82
billion in investment commitments mobilised for PIDA-PAP1.
Dr Kazaura further outlined
the African Union’s implementation of key continental infrastructure
initiatives, including PIDA, the African Single Electricity Market (AfSEM), the
Continental Power System Masterplan (CMP), the African Integrated Railway Network
(AIRN) and the Single African Air Transport Market (SAATM).
He said these initiatives
are aimed at strengthening connectivity, facilitating trade and supporting the
free movement of people across the continent.
Peng Huagang said China has
remained one of Africa’s leading infrastructure partners through mechanisms
including the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation, the Belt and Road Initiative
and bilateral cooperation with African countries.
He also highlighted China’s
experience in reforming state-owned enterprises and expressed readiness to
share knowledge, expertise and technology in support of Africa’s development
priorities.
The discussions concluded
with both sides agreeing on the importance of establishing more structured
cooperation at the continental level, building on successful experiences and
aligning China’s capabilities with African Union frameworks and priorities.
