➲ Benin_February: Benin will have over 102,000 km of roads and bypasses rehabilitated through $288 million worth of Chinese funding. The project was agreed after a meeting between Chinese Ambassador Geng Wenbing and Jean-Marie Enuzou, Benin's Foreign Minister.

➲ Nigeria_February: China's Jiangsu Yulong Steel Pipe announced that it would establish a 250,000 ton per annum longitudinal submerged arc welded pipe mill in Nigeria. The facility, due to come online in 2012, will cater to Nigeria's petrochemical industry.

➲ DR Congo_February: The Chinese Embassy in DR Congo announced that the Chinese firm Sinohydro was awarded a $367 million hydroelectric project. The Central Zongo II project in the country's western most province will produce 860 gigawatts of electricity per annum.

➲ Ethiopia_January: Ethiopia Shipping Lines will receive nine new vessels, the largest order in its history, with the help of $294 million worth of financing from China Exim Bank. The boats will double Ethiopia's capacity for import and export.

➲ Uganda_January: A $350 million loan from China Exim Bank will be used for the construction of a 54 km public highway in Uganda. The new road will connect Kampala, the capital, with Entebbe to the south. Most of the funds will be used to compensate displaced residents.

➲ Zimbabwe_February: China Exim Bank offered a $3 billion loan to Zimbabwe in exchange for a 110 square km concession containing 30 million ounces in platinum reserves.

The ChinAfrica Econometer is produced by THE BEIJING AXIS, a cross-border business bridge to/from China in three principal areas: Strategy, Sourcing & Investment.

For more information, please contact: Barry van Wyk, barryvanwyk@thebeijingaxis.com

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