Category: Infrastructure

Indonesia Weighs Dual Strategies With China to Keep Whoosh High-Speed Rail on Track

Indonesia and China are negotiating with China’s economic planner, the NDRC, to address a funding shortfall for the Jakarta–Bandung high-speed rail project, known as "Whoosh." The gap emerged after costs rose by about $1.2 billion, while ticket sales fell short of loan payments.

Kenya’s China Debt Deal Challenges Old Narratives

Kenya and China have reached a groundbreaking agreement to restructure $3.5 billion in railway loans, converting them from U.S. dollars into Chinese yuan. The move could save Kenya $215 million in debt servicing costs and marks the first time an African ...

After Kenya Secures Landmark Railway Debt Deal With China, Indonesia Eyes a Similar Renegotiation

Indonesia's Investment Minister Rosan Roeslani confirmed on Wednesday that talks are underway with Chinese creditors to restructure the $7.3 billion of debt owed by the Sino-Indonesian joint venture that operates the Whoosh high-speed railway. Although the train has been popular with travelers, 

China, Zambia and Tanzania Seal $1.4 Billion Deal to Modernize Tazara Railway

More than a year after a memorandum of understanding was signed in Beijing, China, Zambia and Tanzania have finalized an agreement to rehabilitate and modernize the Tazara railway. Built by China in the 1970s, the strategic line links Zambia to Tanzania and runs to the port of ...

China Signs Deal to Upgrade Iconic African Rail Line

China, Zambia, and Tanzania signed a $1.4 billion deal to upgrade the TAZARA rail line between the two countries. The line is an icon of Africa-China cooperation, with its first iteration supported by Mao Zedong in the 1970s. The ...

Analysis from Cobus van Staden

How to Lure Chinese Financing Back to the Global South: Report

Global South countries face increasing financing pressure, endangering their ability to keep developing while also implementing measures to deal with a growing climate crisis. The disruption of global trade is coupled with a larger megatrend: flows of international capital to the developing world have turned negative. This means that countries are now routinely paying more to service loans than they receive in disbursements.

The vast majority of Global South borrowers ...

Indonesia Prepares for Pivotal Talks on Expanding China-Financed ‘Whoosh’ High-Speed Railway

When the Jakarta-Bandung high-speed rail, known as the Whoosh, opened in October 2023, it quickly drew scrutiny. China provided billions in loans, KCIC—the China-Indonesia joint venture operating the line—reported losses, and parent companies like the state-owned PT Kereta Api Indonesia (KAI) absorbed significant deficits. Critics ...

Chinese EV Giant Reenters South African Market

The Chinese car company Geely has announced it will return to South Africa, about a decade after it withdrew from the market. It has reportedly secured 35 dealerships around the country, aiming for 40 before its official launch. South Africa’s ...

The Grand Dream: China’s Stakes in Nicaragua’s Canal

As China and the United States vie for influence and access in Latin America, the Panama Canal has reemerged as a strategic chokepoint. Washington is moving to limit Beijing’s access while China scrambles for other options. Sensing an opening, Managua has revived its long-dormant dream of a ...

Indonesia’s Infrastructure Minister Beijing Visit: Key Takeaways

Agus Harimurti Yudhoyono (AHY), Indonesia’s coordinating minister for infrastructure, traveled to Beijing in late August to meet President Xi Jinping and senior Chinese officials. The visit, carried out on behalf of President Prabowo Subianto, was focused on sustaining Indonesia–China dialogue on strategic infrastructure.  ...

Ethiopians Dream of an Electric Car Future

By Dylan Gamba Kemeriya Mehammed Abduraheman set her sights on an electric car four months ago, joining more than 100,000 Ethiopians who have made the green switch. While electric vehicle (EV) sales in Africa accounted ...

China’s COMAC Seals Cambodia Deal For Up To 20 C909 Jets

China’s COMAC said Cambodia’s flag carrier signed a memorandum of understanding for 10 C909 jets, with options for 10 more. The agreement could become the aircraft’s largest overseas order. The signing took place in Zhengzhou, Henan province, on Tuesday. COMAC ...

China and Pakistan Agree $7 Billion Rail Consortium

China and Pakistan reportedly agreed to create a $7 billion consortium to fund a joint railway project. The announcement also saw the unveiling of a four-year action plan to advance the next phase of the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), a major project in the Belt and Road ...
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