日批在线视频_内射毛片内射国产夫妻_亚洲三级小视频_在线观看亚洲大片短视频_女性向h片资源在线观看_亚洲最大网

Global EditionASIA 中文雙語Fran?ais
World
Home / World / Americas

Former US ambassador sees BRI unlocking Africa's youth potential

By YIFAN XU in Washington | China Daily | Updated: 2025-11-21 10:40
Share
Share - WeChat

As the Belt and Road Initiative enters its second decade in Africa, experts praise its role in building digital infrastructure that can harness the continent's youthful population for shared economic gains.

Charles Ray, former US ambassador to Zimbabwe with deep experience across Africa, said the BRI holds strong promise to activate the continent's demographic dividend through projects such as 5G networks and e-commerce platforms.

"If properly implemented, in ways that fit a country's capacity and are supportive of job creation and environmental protection, digital infrastructure under the BRI could help to unlock much of Africa's demographic potential," Ray said.

Since its launch in 2013 until 2022, the BRI had delivered more than $290 billion in completed construction contracts across Africa, laying roads, ports and railways that enhance trade and connectivity, according to the China Global Investment Tracker of the American Enterprise Institute.

With more than 60 percent of Africans under 25, Ray said, these investments can directly address youth unemployment and spur economic diversification when aligned with local priorities.

He highlighted the BRI's potential to exemplify multilateralism through economic focus rather than political imposition, provided governance risks are addressed. Building on this, strong policy frameworks can ensure BRI projects deliver transparent results, he said. "Before finalizing a project, a country's ability to service foreign debts should be carefully analyzed."

Recent research backs this approach. At a Nov 6 forum in Accra, capital of Ghana, organized by the Africa-China Centre for Policy and Advisory, the book Africa-China Linkages: Building Deeper and Broader Connections found no evidence of a "China debt trap".

"The notion of a 'China debt trap' in Africa is not supported by empirical data," said Alfred Schipke, a professor at the National University of Singapore, who edited the book.

Ray also said that African nations seek BRI partnerships built on shared responsibility and local ownership, prioritizing job creation, technology transfer and equal management voice under local laws because these steps can ease United States-China tensions while advancing African goals.

"Regardless of whether a country decides to partner with China or the US — and in my experience, most want partnerships with both because China and the US each have unique benefits to offer — it should be done in a way that is mutually beneficial," he said.

A report released earlier this month by the Centre for Economic Policy Research in London said the BRI does not exclude non-Chinese companies, and that US investments are rising in some countries involved in the BRI.

Positive outcomes

Ray agreed, highlighting potential for collaboration. "If China and the US look at countries on the basis of how all parties can benefit, rather than trying to outcompete each other, there is a possibility for positive outcomes," he said.

To foster inclusive growth, Ray recommended that the BRI emphasize local capacity and self-sufficiency. "The BRI, or any foreign investment, for that matter, should focus on building local capacity, creating local jobs and increasing the self-sufficiency of local populations," he said.

He called for long-term partnership deals that reflect Africa's coming demographic weight: 25 percent of the world's population by 2050, mostly young and urban.

Ray envisioned the BRI reshaping Africa-China ties into a model of shared prosperity. "If China and the United States can both realize that our two countries will always be economic competitors, but that competition does not have to be hostile, and that in the future, both will need Africa … everyone can benefit," he said.

According to China's Foreign Ministry, with $51 billion in new funding pledged at last year's Forum on China-Africa Cooperation, the BRI continues expanding opportunities for sustainable, African-led development.

Most Viewed in 24 Hours
Top
BACK TO THE TOP
English
Copyright 1994 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site.
License for publishing multimedia online 0108263

Registration Number: 130349
FOLLOW US
主站蜘蛛池模板: 亚洲91久久 | 日批视频在线看 | 手机免费黄色网址 | 在线免费黄色 | 亚洲精品视频网 | 国产a久久| 国产三级精品视频 | 人人澡人人草 | 草在线视频 | 国产 日韩 欧美 精品 | 久久免费看片 | 午夜美女视频 | 毛片视频免费播放 | 1级黄色片 | 色图av| 黄色av网站在线免费观看 | 粉嫩av四季av绯色av | 黄色一级大片在线免费看国产一 | 精品午夜一区二区三区在线观看 | 黄色三级av | 四方色播 | 超碰天天| 少妇高潮久久久 | 久久久888 | 97国产精品人人爽人人做 | 国产免费一区二区三区四在线播放 | 日韩欧美一卡 | 午夜视频在线 | 一区二区国产视频 | 日日射av | 国产成人一区二区三区影院在线 | 成人国产精品久久 | 国产精品国色综合久久 | 人人舔人人干 | 999久久久久久久久6666 | 黄色大片免费的 | 久久久网 | 免费av网址大全 | 日本不卡在线观看 | 国产精品自拍视频 | 污片在线免费观看 |