Source：Xinhua News
Since the proposal of the "Belt and Road" initiative, the flower of China-Africa cooperation has blossomed across the vast expanse of Africa. From Uganda to Egypt, from Senegal to Nigeria, industrial parks and economic zones built and operated by Chinese companies have sprung up like mushrooms, becoming a powerful engine driving Africa's integration into the global industrial chain and helping Africa build emerging brands.
The "Belt and Road" cooperation has boosted Africa's industrialization, promoted the sustainable development of local manufacturing industries, and significantly enhanced their competitiveness in the global market. As China-Africa cooperation deepens, "Made in Africa" is welcoming a broad development prospect.
Park Cooperation Empowers "Made in Africa"
In the China-Uganda Mbale Industrial Park, located in the eastern part of Uganda, 27-year-old Helen Mugala, along with hundreds of colleagues, arrives every morning full of hope to start a new day's work. "This industrial park has brought tangible benefits to many locals. I've learned valuable skills and gained a stable income," she said.
The park, invested in and operated by the Chinese private enterprise Tiangang Group, has attracted more than 40 companies since its launch in March 2018, creating over 5,000 jobs for the local community. The products manufactured in the park are diverse, ranging from home appliances to daily beauty products, from home textiles to building materials, and from pharmaceuticals, smartphones to TVs, cars, and more, covering all aspects of life. This park, covering thousands of hectares, has become an incubation platform for local brands, setting an example for Uganda's industrialization and modernization.
Mingzhu Technology Co., Ltd., one of the first companies to settle in the park, mainly produces lighting products. The company's LED lighting fixtures are affordable and easy to repair, reducing Uganda's reliance on imported lighting fixtures.
Local technician Joseph Otim said, "In the past, Uganda mainly relied on imports for LED lighting fixtures, which were expensive and difficult to repair. Chinese companies have changed this situation. Now, our company produces about 3 million LED bulbs and tubes annually, which are sold across Uganda."
The emergence of parks built and operated by Chinese companies in recent years is a microcosm of the deepening cooperation, quality improvement, and upgrade of China-Africa industrial infrastructure. The Senegal Diamniadio Industrial Park, the Nigeria Lekki Free Trade Zone, the China-Egypt TEDA Suez Economic and Trade Cooperation Zone... these parks in which China has participated in investments play a role in attracting investment to African countries, akin to "building nests to attract phoenixes," and promote the accelerated development of "Made in Africa."
Green Cooperation Enhances the Charm of "Made in Africa"
The concept of ecological protection and sustainable development advocated by the "Belt and Road" initiative is helping African countries adopt green technologies and clean energy in the manufacturing industry. This not only builds a green barrier for Africa's natural environment but also labels African manufacturing with "green manufacturing."
Based in Kampala, the capital of Uganda, Gogo Electronics Company is one of the country's three major electric motorcycle manufacturers. This electric motorcycle manufacturer imports lithium batteries from China to provide the local market with an environmentally friendly and economical transportation option. Yanosh Bissaso, the company's COO, said, "After purchasing a motorcycle, customers can enjoy the 'swap battery' service, exchanging a used battery for a fully charged one at any time. They will find that choosing an electric motorcycle not only saves money but is also eco-friendly."
In Kenya, the BasiGo electric bus project also reflects the fruits of China-Africa cooperation in the field of eco-friendly transportation. In March 2022, Kenyan startup BasiGo became the first company to launch electric buses in the country. These buses are assembled locally using parts designed by the Chinese automaker BYD and can travel 250 kilometers on a single charge.
Muthutho Sifuna, the company's marketing manager, said that the monthly fuel cost for diesel buses can reach up to 200,000 Kenyan shillings (approximately 129 Kenyan shillings to 1 US dollar), while the energy cost for electric buses is only 60,000 Kenyan shillings. The company plans to introduce and operate 1,000 electric buses by 2025.
Deepening Cooperation Illuminates the Future of "Made in Africa"
China-Africa cooperation in the field of electric transportation is a vivid example of the positive outcomes of the "Belt and Road" initiative. The high-quality products and technologies brought by Chinese companies are helping Africa move towards a greener and more sustainable future. Through deepening cooperation with China, Africa's manufacturing industry continues to enhance its production capabilities, applying eco-friendly and innovative technologies, allowing African brands to stand firm in the global market and demonstrate their competitiveness.
Roda Wahgura, an official from the United Nations Environment Programme, said that cooperation with China has enabled African countries to access advanced