The China in Africa Podcast Railroads and Rivalries in Southern Africa
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Sep 27, 2024 The podcast dives into the U.S. and China's multi-billion dollar plans to refurbish railways in southern Africa, linking vital mining hubs with ports. It highlights the strategic significance of these initiatives amid complex regional politics. Experts discuss the competition between the Lobito Atlantic Railway and the TAZARA railway, and the urgent need for sophisticated leadership and transparency in these projects. The episode emphasizes the importance of regional connectivity for economic growth and the challenges posed by foreign involvement.
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US-China Railway Rivalry
- The U.S. and China are competing to refurbish railways connecting critical mineral hubs in Zambia and the DRC to different coasts.
- The U.S. backs the Lobito Railway to Angola's Atlantic coast, while China proposes refurbishing the TAZARA Railway to Tanzania's Indian Ocean port.
TAZARA's Ownership Weakness
- The TAZARA Railway’s failure stems largely from weak ownership and responsibility by Zambia and Tanzania.
- Reliance on external aid without taking charge undermined its sustainability despite early strong rhetoric on local ownership.
Ownership Key to Infrastructure Success
- African countries must take full responsibility for their railways to avoid dependency on foreign powers.
- Ownership and sovereignty, not the nationality of investors, determine sustainable success in these infrastructure projects.