The Chinese government is proposing a China-Africa regional aviation plan aimed at fostering development in Africa while creating jobs for Africa’s unemployed youths.
It will also champion investments in other transportation means in the transport sector, connecting capital cities in Africa for easy movement of goods and people within the continent.
At thursday’s session of the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa (WEFA) holding in Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, the Premier of the People’s Republic of China, Mr Li Keqiang, said that the Chinese government would continue to promote development in Africa, as the continents rise as a new world power will make the world more democratic, stable, robust, diverse, colourful and more conducive to global peace development and progress.
Mr Keqiang said the Chinese government, in cooperation with African countries, would through an aviation joint venture, provide civilian feeder jets, train aviation professionals and build supporting facilities needed for the sector to thrive.
“Africa has seen its aviation express demands growing rapidly but it lacks airport, air routes, especially regional operating capacity.
“China has huge experience and capacity in the construction and management of airports.
“We will promote the regional aviation industry in Africa. China will provide financing technical and human resourced support,” he told participants at the 24th session of the WEFA.
China is also looking to expound investments in Africa in the rail, power, telecommunication sectors and human capacity development. it will also assist in the agriculture sector to improve food security in the continent.
Foundation For Economic Take-off
Its six projects will focus on industrial cooperation, financial cooperation, poverty reduction, environmental cooperation, people to people exchanges and a cooperation of peace and security.
Through a forum on China-Africa cooperation, China wants to meet Africa’s new aspirations, build and upgrade China-Africa cooperation and elevate strategic partnership to new heights.
Mr Keqiang pointed out that transportation is an important foundation for economic take-off in developing countries, emphasising why China will be cooperating with Africa in the sector.
“We will promote connectivity in the continent through China-Africa transnational infrastructure cooperation.
“We will establish a High-speed rail network in Africa connecting all African capitals,” he said.
Africa accounts for about 23 per cent of the world land masses but with only 7 per cent of the total rail way mileage with 20 countries having no rail ways at all.
The rail network system will involve the setting up of centres for high-speed rail system in Africa within the sub regions first.
“Africa’s express way network is a great potential for development.
“We will cooperate with Africa to make the express way network possible. We will like to strengthen cooperation with Africa and promote the actualisation of these networks,” the Chinese premier said.
China is also going to increase investment and financing in Africa, with an addition of 10 billion dollars to the connected Chinese credit line to African countries to reach a total of 30 billion dollars.
Another two billion dollars will be added to the China-Africa Development Fund to push it up to a total of five billion dollars.
Mr Keqiang also said that China would provide 18,000 government scholarships to Africa and would train 30,000 professionals of various types.
“The Chinese cooperation with African counties is sincere and open. We will share our advance, applicable and managerial expertise developed by China. We will share with Africa without reservation.
“China will strengthen cooperation with international organisations and relevant bodies and will under the principle of African consent, Africa needs and African participation, explore trilateral or multilateral cooperation in Africa.
“We will relocate some Chinese countries to Africa. The Chinese government means what it says,” he stressed.
The investment plan for Africa that China reeled out at the forum is apt considering the fact that Africa’s unemployment rate is on the increase.
The African continent is important birth place of the world civilisation and it has seen fascinating and tremendous changes in the last few decades.
Its economy has shown great vitality and dynamism, shoring up in a period that other world economies were experiencing crisis.
Its 54 countries want to speak with one voice and it is gradually registering its relevance on the world political stage.
Africa’s economic aggregate has exceeded 2 trillion dollars in 2013.
Seven out of the 10 fastest growing countries are in Africa, making the continent an investment destination.
Nigeria, playing host to participants from over 80 countries at the forum that began on Wednesday, is Africa’s largest economy but lacks some basic infrastructure, with a huge number of unemployed youth.
The theme for the forum that will end on Friday is “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs”.