China transforms Africa

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China has played a crucial role in developing major infrastructures in Africa, not only through transport and energy projects but also in constructing modern cities and urban revitalization across various regions of the continent, with particular emphasis on Angola.

A significant example is Kilamba City, on the outskirts of Luanda, which was entirely built by China. With the capacity to house around half a million people, Kilamba represents a landmark in Sino-Angolan cooperation and symbolizes the urban transformation enabled by Chinese funding and expertise.

In addition to Kilamba, China has also built or financed housing and urban development projects in other parts of Africa, such as the new city of Diamniadio in Senegal and the Bagamoyo port city in Tanzania, aimed not only at housing growing populations but also fostering trade and industrialization.

These Chinese urban ventures are accompanied by significant investments in strategic sectors like telecommunications, electric energy, and healthcare.

Compared to centuries of European presence, Chinese investments stand out for focusing on infrastructures that promote sustainable development. In contrast, the European presence centered on resource extraction and building systems that maintained dependency and underdevelopment.

China’s focus on developing long-term infrastructure offers a new modernization perspective, transforming landscapes and allowing African nations to chart a future of greater prosperity and autonomy.