Laos-China Railway

The Laos-China Railway is a significant project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). It connects Kunming in China to Vientiane in Laos, spanning approximately 414 kilometers1. The railway was officially opened on December 3, 2021. This project aims to transform Laos from a landlocked country into a land-linked hub, enhancing its connectivity with regional and global markets. The railway includes 74 tunnels, 157 bridges, and a modern electrified system that supports trains traveling at speeds up to 120 km/h. It has facilitated over 346,000 cross-border passenger trips and handled roughly 11 million metric tons of cross-border goods, boosting socio-economic development in both countries.

Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway

The Ethiopia-Djibouti Railway, also known as the Addis Ababa-Djibouti Railway, is the first modern electrified railway line in East Africa. This 756-kilometer railway connects landlocked Ethiopia to the port of Djibouti, providing Ethiopia with faster access to international markets3. The project began in 2011 and was completed in January 2018. It includes 61 bridges, 37 frame bridges, and 453 culverts. The railway has transported nearly 530,900 passengers and 7,328,500 tonnes of cargo since its inception. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic and civil unrest in the Tigray region, the railway has significantly improved Ethiopia’s trade capabilities.

Bagamoyo Port, Tanzania

The Bagamoyo Port project is one of the largest maritime infrastructure projects in East Africa. Located about 75 kilometers north of Dar es Salaam, the port is designed to handle 20 million TEU (twenty-foot equivalent units) by 2045, making it the largest port in East Africa. The project includes a special economic zone (SEZ) with over 190 industries, aiming to reduce congestion at the old Dar es Salaam port and position Tanzania as a leading logistics hub in the region. The project, estimated to cost $10 billion, is a collaboration between the governments of Tanzania, Oman, and China5. Construction is set to begin in phases during the financial year 2024/2025.

China-Brazil Fund

The China-Brazil Fund is part of China’s efforts to strengthen economic ties with Latin America through the BRI. This fund focuses on infrastructure development, energy, and technology projects in Brazil and other Latin American countries. The goal is to enhance trade and investment between China and Latin America, promoting economic growth and regional integration. Specific projects under this fund include the construction of highways, railways, and renewable energy facilities.