Here is an excerpt from an article I came across while doing this evening's research
“Railways. Ports. Industrial parks. Power stations. Infrastructure cooperation between China and Africa is thriving, and the outcome is changing the lives of millions.”
Modern port cooperation between China and Africa is developing rapidly and a good example is the Kribi Deep Sea Port, built by China Harbour Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC) in Cameroon's southern town of Kribi. The new seaport, strategically positioned in the centre of the Gulf of Guinea, has stimulated the country's economy and has become a regional hub for the African Atlantic coast.
"With the coming of the Kribi port, Cameroon has once again placed herself as the port entry to the sub-region. This (port) has added more value to certain industrial projects in Chad, the Central African Republic and Congo," said Alain Patrick Mpila Ayissi, manager of the Land Development and Environment Department of the Port Authority of Kribi. In 2023, Tanzania's first modern fishing harbour, Kilwa Harbour, also constructed by CHEC, was launched. As a flagship project under the Tanzanian government's third five-year plan, it is expected to become an engine for economic growth.
The Kribi Deep Sea Port has played a crucial role in bolstering infrastructure development, employment, trade and investment in Cameroon, said Raymond Tavares, a representative in Cameroon and Central Africa of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization.
Infrastructure development is the cornerstone of Africa's development, and improving the state of infrastructure is a common desire of the African people.
Cooperation between China and Africa in the new era provides a path to mutual development, creating a stronger foundation for a closer China-Africa community with a shared future.
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Based on the provided excerpt above, I will make the following assumptions regarding the development of the Mbalam-Kribi iron ore and port project by CSN:
1 - Strategic Importance of Kribi Port - The Kribi Deep Sea Port, which is central to the Mbalam-Kribi project, has established itself as a key infrastructure asset in Cameroon. It is strategically positioned to serve as a major entry point to the region, enhancing its significance for industrial and trade activities, particularly for neighboring countries like Chad, the Central African Republic, and Congo. This indicates that the Mbalam-Kribi project could leverage the port's location to boost iron ore exports.
2 - Chinese Involvement in Infrastructure - The excerpt highlights China's active role in African infrastructure, particularly through companies like China Harbor Engineering Company Ltd. (CHEC). Given this trend, it is likely that Chinese entities are or will be involved in the Mbalam-Kribi project, either through financing, construction, or operation, which could influence the project's development pace and scope.
3 - Economic Impact and Regional Development - The success of the Kribi Deep Sea Port has had significant economic benefits for Cameroon, including increased trade and investment. Similarly, the Mbalam-Kribi project is expected to stimulate economic growth, create jobs, and attract further investments, reinforcing the economic ties between Cameroon and China. These assumptions suggest that the Mbalam-Kribi project is poised to benefit from the established infrastructure and international cooperation dynamics, potentially accelerating its development and regional influence.
REF : https://2024focacsummit.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zxyw_1/202408/t20240828_11480297.htm
SIDE NOTE - Cameroonian President Paul Biya arrived for the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) in Beijing, capital of China, Sept. 4, 2024. I’d be expecting some further news to be released over the next few days.
