“It is not uncommon for a country to create a railway, but it is uncommon for a railway to create a country,” Sir Charles Eliot, then commissioner of British East Africa, made the bold statement in 1903. Eliot, “who initiated the policy of white supremacy in the British East Africa Protectorate (now Kenya),” according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica website, was referring to the meter gauge railway built by British colonialists in East Africa between 1896 and 1901. The railway, emblematic…

At 5:30 p.m., the square in front of the Rohero courthouse comes alive. In the heart of Bujumbura, Burundi’s capital, Tuesdays are transformed into a celebration of tradition. As they do every week, the drummers take out their instruments to begin the ritual rehearsals. As soon as the first beats are heard, a crowd gathers, attracted by the spectacle of the ritual dance. Passers-by, on their way home from work, stop to soak up the vibrant atmosphere for a few…

Tanzania is an important Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) hub in Africa. It signed a BRI cooperation memorandum with China in 2018. Bilateral exchanges have been on the rise since then.  On the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the launch of the initiative, ChinAfrica sat down with Mbelwa Kairuki, Tanzanian ambassador to China, to hear his insights on the BRI, especially the changes brought by the BRI to the local people’s lives. Edited excerpts of the interview follow:  ChinAfrica: How did…

On 11 March, the Senegalese U20 National Team won the Africa Cup of Nations by defeating Gambia 2-0. Led by Malick Daf, the team performed impressively throughout the tournament, winning all of their matches, scoring 14 goals, and not conceding a single one. The Senegalese players also won the tournament’s best player, top scorer and best goalkeeper awards.  This continental triumph follows a dominant performance by Senegalese footballers in 2022, when the Senegalese National Team won the prestigious Africa Cup…

HARARE, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) — Atop a hill about six km south of downtown Harare, Zimbabwe’s capital, lies a revered shrine where Zimbabwe’s departed heroes are laid to rest. Every second Monday of August, Zimbabweans gather at the shrine overlooking Harare to pay tribute to liberation war fighters who took up arms and fought colonialism to deliver the country from the shackles of British colonial rule. The day comes as a reminder to Zimbabweans, particularly young people, that the freedom they…

BEIJING, July 5 (Xinhua) — The talk of de-risking from China has been gaining ubiquity among Western politicians and business communities recently, while the de-coupling approach seems to be put away, at least in rhetoric. Don’t get fooled. The nature of the new De-word is in fact to re-define risk and decouple from China in selective fields like high-tech and other key areas where those Western powers want to maintain their global dominance. For those who carefully craft and embrace…

Abdullahi Okelo in Dar es Salaam in Tanzania tries to fully concentrate as he holds his tool, keen to start his practical work on automobile engine assembly before his tutors’ final assessment. Okelo’s dedication is driven by his deep passion for mechanical engineering and years of struggle to develop his engineering skills in a bid to earn a living.  “I am thrilled to be a student at the Luban Workshop, especially to be taught by the best tutors. This is…

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who chaired the virtual Shangai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit on Tuesday, said Iran was going to join as a new member of the organisation. Modi also welcomed the signing of a memorandum on Belarus’ commitment to SCO membership, as reported by ANI, a partner of TV BRICS. “I am happy that Iran is going to join the SCO family as a new member today. In this regard, I extend my best wishes to President Ebrahim…

For much of the past 20 years, the Chinese economic engagement with Africa could be summarised in two words: investment and trade. During this period, China’s trade figures with African nations have been remarkable. For instance, in 2022, China-Africa trade surged to a record high of $282 billion, highlighting how China’s business cooperation with the continent of Africa continues to rise.   Statistics from the General Administration of Customs of China show that in the first four months of 2023, rising…

As a child, I was captivated by machines and their inner workings. I yearned to design contraptions that could solve real-world problems and improve people’s lives. So when it came to selecting my major for university education, I knew that mechanical engineering was the right choice.   As for university, I decided to study at Assosa University in Ethiopia, because of the university’s reputation for excellence in mechanical engineering and the vibrant culture of the city it’s located in. For a…