African countries welcome energy, infrastructure cooperation with China

Updated: June 8, 2017 Source: Belt and Road Portal
fontLarger fontSmaller

Ambassadors from several countries to Zimbabwe said they expect deepened cooperation with China in various fields including energy and infrastructure, Xinhua reports.

The ambassadors recently visited the construction site of the expansion project of Kariba South Hydro Power Station on the south bank of the Zambezi River about 350 kilometers away from the country’s capital Harare..

They praised the fast speed and high quality presented by the Chinese company Sino Hydro in building the project.

Construction on the US$355 million worth project started in November 2014 and 85 percent of the project has been completed.

The expansion is expected to add 300 MW to Zimbabwe’s national grid.

The first unit will come into operation at the end of 2017 and the second unit will be completed in the first quarter of 2018, boosting the station’s total installed capacity to 1,050MW. .

Malawian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Annie Yauka Kumwenda hopes Malawi can cooperate with Chinese enterprises to make good use of its water resources to improve its power infrastructure.

Kenyan Ambassador to Zimbabwe Lucy Chelimo said China is Kenya’s important cooperation partner who built the first standard gauge railway in Kenya.

Mwampanga Mwana Nanga, ambassador of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Zimbabwe, said China offers a good model for development for Africa. It benefits African countries with its strong capacity in infrastructure construction and helps Africa to achieve more rapid development.

Namibian Ambassador to Zimbabwe Panduleni K. Shingenge said China plays an important role in helping African countries to be self-sufficient in energy.

Editor: liuyue