New Frontiers ripe for exploitation

Enterprises that are State-owned are paving the way for sustainable African development

Zipping through the still-not complete modern expressways that make up the Congo National No 1 Road between Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo and the port city of Pointe-Noire, it is hard to believe that a Chinese State-owned firm has played a key role in resurrecting what was once a broken-down, abandoned and important transport lifeline in Africa.

Elsewhere in Africa, there is a buzz of activity at the various Special Economic Zones set up by Chinese SOEs in Zambia, Mauritius, Egypt, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Algeria. In Botswana, and Ghana construction projects developed by Chinese SOEs are making a difference by providing more jobs to local communities.