US, China propose to fund 2 railway projects in Zambia – Newstrends
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US, China propose to fund 2 railway projects in Zambia

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US, China propose to fund 2 railway projects in Zambia

Zambia is at the forefront of an infrastructural showdown, with two significant railway developments emerging, one backed by the United States and another by China, as Bloomberg reports.

This competitive scenario is unfolding in a region renowned for its vast mineral wealth, setting the stage for an intense rivalry.

The United States is investing heavily in the Lobito corridor initiative, allocating $2.3 billion not only to refurbish an existing railway that extends from the Democratic Republic of Congo to the Atlantic’s Lobito port but also to extend this network by an additional 800 kilometers (approximately 500 miles) of new railway lines deep into Zambian territory.

The United States is coordinating a diverse coalition of companies and government agencies to bring the Lobito project to fruition.

However, construction on the new link in Zambia may not commence until 2026, contingent upon securing the necessary funding from a variety of sources.

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Conversely, China is vigorously advancing its strategy, committing more than $1 billion to the rejuvenation of the Tazara railway.

This historic route, leading to Tanzania’s Dar es Salaam port, is crucial for exporting the region’s copper and cobalt.

Both initiatives represent a strategic effort to establish faster, more efficient export routes for the mineral wealth of Zambia and Congo, marking a crucial juncture in the region’s economic and infrastructural progress.

More insight

  • The Lobito Atlantic Railway is a network spanning 2,600 kilometers connecting Congo and Zambia to Angola’s coast.
  • In a swift move, China has accelerated its efforts. Merely weeks after deploying a team of engineers to evaluate the condition of the railway line financed and constructed by Mao Zedong in the 1970s, the Chinese government presented its proposal to Zambia for the revival of the Tazara railway.
  • This project will be managed by a state-owned Chinese enterprise under a commercial concession, with the expectation that financing will predominantly be sourced from Chinese financial institutions.
  • The competition extends beyond railway development. Both the United States and China are keen on assisting Zambia in establishing battery manufacturing sectors.

US, China propose to fund 2 railway projects in Zambia

Africa

Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria

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Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria

With the fuel crisis bedevilling the Republic of Niger, some of its military officials have visited Abuja to seek support from Nigeria to tackle the shortage of Premium Motor Spirit in the country.

It was gathered that the delegation successfully got the approval for 300 trucks of fuel from the Nigerian government.

Trouble started for Niger -which has been reliant on a Chinese refinery – after the refinery was shut down due to some misunderstanding with the supplier.

This led to Niger turning to Nigeria for help to ameliorate the fuel shortage experienced by the country.

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Officials from the Nigerian government noted that the deal was approved with the hope of using it as a bargaining tool with Niger.

“We do not want to blow our trumpet. Rather, we want to use it as a bargaining chip for negotiation, as we continue to engage with them to bring them back to ECOWAS.

“Let them get more from us. I am confident that gradually they will come back to ECOWAS because they do not have enough resources to import food to sustain their citizens,” the official said while pleading anonymity.

Sources stated that fuel prices in Niger were hitting N8,000 per litre

However, some transborder businessmen have attributed the fuel scarcity in Niger to the lingering relationship between the country and Nigeria.

They noted that in some cross-border towns to Niger, fuel is being sold for between 1,200 CFA and N3,500 (N2,500 and N8,500).

Fuel hits N8,000/litre in Niger, country seeks help from Nigeria

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ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency

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ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has activated its Standby Force to curb terrorism and other transborder crimes in the subregion.

The Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, who disclosed this in Abuja on Tuesday at the Forty-third ordinary meeting of ECOWAS Committee Chiefs of Defence Staff said the economic growth of the region is dependent on stable peace.

The minister added that there is a need for members of ECOWAS to close ranks against all forms of threats against the region.

On January 29, 2025, ECOWAS recognised the exit of three of its former members Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Republic upon the expiration of a one-year notice period.

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However, in “the spirit of regional solidarity”, ECOWAS asked its member countries to still recognise the national passports of the three exiting countries bearing the ECOWAS logo until further notice.

Their departure from the bloc has fractured the region and is leaving the ECOWAS grouping with an uncertain future.

The three junta-led countries formally notified ECOWAS of their plan for an “immediate” withdrawal in January 2024, citing the organisation’s excessive dependence on France in particular.

Paris has become the common enemy of the three juntas, which now favour partnerships with countries such as Russia, Turkey and Iran.

However, ECOWAS required one year’s notice for the departure to be effective — that deadline falls on January 29, 2025.

The three Sahelian countries have teamed up to form a separate confederation called the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).

ECOWAS activates standby force against insurgency

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Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend

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Nyiko Nyathi

Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend

A 42-year-old police sergeant, Nyiko Nyathi was arrested in connection with the kidnapping and brutal murder of her husband and his ‘female friend’ in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

The officer handed herself over to authorities at Bushbuckridge police station, according to Mpumalanga provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.

She appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court on Monday, March 10, 2025, facing charges for the m8rder of her husband and another woman.

“According to information, in February 2024, Lawrence Alba Mashego, 44, was reportedly attacked by a group of armed men at his house in Boikhutsong Trust in Bushbuckridge. The armed men robbed him of his Toyota Quantum and Ford Escort, then he got kidnapped,” said Mdhluli.

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“The two vehicles were reportedly used by the armed suspects as a mode of transport to reach a certain house in Zoeknog. At the house, they found Victoria Lebyane, 44, Mashego’s female friend, in possession of Mashego’s bank cards.”

Lebyane was then robbed of about R4,000 cash as well as some bank cards belonging to Mashego. After that, Mashego and Lebyane were m8rdered by the assailants.

“The matter was probed by the men and women in blue, where a thorough investigation was carried out, leading to the arrest of four suspects in connection with the incident. One of the suspects then pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 77 years imprisonment,” said Mdhluli.

As the police intensified their investigations, the police sergeant was implicated in the m8rder of her husband Mashego, and Lebyane.

Following the court appearance on Monday, the case was postponed to Wednesday, for a formal bail application.

Meanwhile, acting provincial commissioner of police in Mpumalanga, Major General Zeph Mkhwanazi, has welcomed Nyathi’s arrest.

He emphasised that the law will take its course on anyone suspected to have committed crime, regardless of their social status or position.

“The SAPS remains resolute to be intolerant to any criminality within our ranks,” said Mkhwanazi.

Policewoman arrested for murder of husband, female friend

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