Chinese Construction Company Under Fire in Nigeria

 Nigeria's Newstimes published on 8 February 2026 an article titled "FG Issues Deadlines to Chinese Road Contractors."

The government of Nigeria warned China Harbour Engineering Company and its sister firm, China Harbour Engineering and Maintenance Company, that it has received complaints of substandard work, slow mobilization, and environmental hazards on key road projects across the country.  The government called on the Chinese companies to take remedial measures, adding it would no longer tolerate poor execution, undue delays, or disregard for contractual standards.

Chinese Companies Build Longest Bridge in East Africa; Tanzania Pays the Bill

 The Nanyang Technological University posted on 29 May 2025 an article titled "China Completes the Construction of the Longest  Bridge in East Africa."

Two Chinese construction companies have completed the 3.2 kilometer dual highway spanning southern Lake Victoria.  The Tanzanian government funded the $220 million project.  China includes the project as part of its Belt and Road Initiative, but it was a commercial deal, not an aid project. 

Kenya: US to Finance Expressway to Compete with Chinese Railway

 Nairobi Wire published on 6 February 2025 an article titled "US-Backed Ksh452B Usahihi Expressway Gains Momentum" by Richard Kamau.  

Everstrong Capital, a US-backed infrastructure investment firm, announced its intention to secure funding for a $3.5 billion expressway between Nairobi and the port of Mombasa on the Indian Ocean coast.  The road would run parallel to the Chinese-built and financed standard gauge railway.  Many Kenyan manufacturers prefer trucking over the railroad due to cost, flexibility, and the limitations of the railway system.  

Kenyan President Heads to China with Hat in Hand

 Reuters published on 6 October 2023 an article titled "Kenya To Seek $1 Billion Loan from China, Longer Repayment Period" by Duncan Miriri and George Obulutsa.

Kenyan President William Ruto is headed for China later this month where he will seek $1 billion to complete stalled road construction projects.  He will also ask to extend the repayment period for existing Chinese loans that total more than $8 billion.  

Zambia's Debt Exposure with China

 The China Africa Research Initiative published in September 2021 a paper titled "How Zambia and China Co-Created a Debt 'Tragedy of the Commons'" by Deborah Brautigam.  

Zambia is an extreme case of principal-agent problems in Chinese lending.  Among all African countries with Chinese loans, Zambia has the second largest number (after Angola) of different Chinese contractors winning Chinese loan-financed projects, and the largest number of distinct Chinese lenders.  This multiplication of stakeholders has created fierce competition for infrastructure contracts in Zambia.

China's Role in Africa's East-West Transport Link

The China in Africa Podcast posted on 29 April 2018 a 26 minute discussion titled "Can China Realize Africa's Dream of an East-West Transport Link?" with Eric Olander and Cobus van Staden.

This coast-to-coast road project of 8,700 kilometers from Senegal to Djibouti is a risky project that has long been a goal but faced numerous challenges. China may help make it a reality.

China as Africa's Builder

The Diplomat published on 29 September 2016 an article titled "'China Inc.' Becomes China the Builder in Africa" by Janet Eom, Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies.

The author explains that most Chinese loans in Africa are used to build connective infrastructure such as roads, railroads, and power lines.