«Back to Home
Kenya's modern railway cements trade, infrastructure relations with China
Xinhua
30 Aug 2020, 21:18 GMT+10
NAIROBI, Aug. 30 (Xinhua) — The Standard Gauge Railways (SGR) has cemented the Sino-Kenya trade and infrastructure relations, a senior executive of its operator said on Sunday.
Li Jiuping, general manager of SGR operator Afristar, said in a commentary published by the Standard newspaper that as part of Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), SGR is the "road of friendship" and "road of prosperity and development" for win-win cooperation between China and Kenya.
"It is a key outcome of Sino-Africa cooperation on infrastructure development," Li said.
He said that the BRI's infrastructure development goals complement the Africa Union(AU) agenda 2063, which mainly focuses on the continent's interconnectivity.
"They both focus on the need to encompass people-centered development. They are both centered on sustainable industrialization and industrial diversification to generate high-value addition and decent employment for all," said Li.
He said that with Africa having a huge infrastructure deficit hindering its economic development, trade and industrialization, the BRI provides an opportunity that the continent could strategically take advantage of.
"In Africa, Kenya is a core part of both the Maritime Silk Road and the Belt, with the SGR being the flagship project of this initiative, "said Li.
"The project is key to saving valued natural resources and protecting the environment, especially from the challenge of global warming. It reduces carbon emissions by introducing a modern and more efficient railway system," he added.
The SGR is one of Kenya's Vision 2030 flagship projects and complies with the Kenya National Transport Policy — "Moving a Working Nation" (2009), whose vision for the railway sector is to provide efficient, reliable, safe and secure railway transport services.
According to Li, China and Kenya have adhered to the principle of mutually beneficial cooperation and development, as well as environmental protection.
He said that there are similarities between Chinese and Kenya cultures.
"For instance, they are both collective societies where people value each other and form strong interpersonal relationships with their families, friends and communities. People from collectivists societies are good team players, which is very important for SGR operations and maintenance," said Li.
In order to create high performing Sino-Kenyan teams, the SGR operator fosters cross-cultural working relationships and promotes mutual understanding, respect and trust by building a strong cross-cultural team through promoting the idea, "we are a family", said Li.
He said that some of the methods used to integrate the Kenyan and Chinese workforce include but are not limited to ensuring that communication channels are open and two-way.
"This creates a harmonious working environment and regular team building and recreational activities such as sports competitions and outdoor cultural exchange activities," said Li.
In terms of freight efficiency, Afristar's goal is to satisfy the needs of cargo owners and end the backlog of SGR cargo at the Mombasa port by working with the Kenya Railways Corporation, Kenya Ports Authority and logistics companies, according to Li.
He said that the scalability of SGR operations and maintenance is dependent on the localization of the project.
"We are currently at nearly 80 percent localization and have over 290 Kenyans in management positions," said Li.
He said the localization rate has been achieved through technical skills training, which includes Railway Training Institute's (RTI) pre-job training, on-the-job vocational training, apprenticeship programs, and professional development opportunities such as training opportunities for high-performing staff at leading Chinese rail-oriented institutions.
"So far, over 70 employees have gained skills from educational opportunities in China. We have also achieved localization through promotion of employees in railway specialties through annual skills competition," said Li.
He said that the SGR has shortened the space-time distance between Nairobi and Mombasa, changed the way people travel and increased business activities along its corridor.
More Africa News
Access More 
Mali's Junta to Hold Transition Talks This Weekend
The Africa News.Net
Int'l community slams U.S. sanctions against ICC senior officials
The Africa News.Net
A new model to predict survival in colorectal cancer
The Africa News.Net
Pitso Mosimane: 'I don't trust the last matches'
The Africa News.Net
Grass on ash: uncovering 200,000 year old beds from South Africa
The Africa News.Net
Second seed Sofia Kenin progresses at US Open
The Africa News.Net
Mozambique army 'eyeing bid to retake port from jihadists'
The Africa News.Net
Police admit to shooting dead black man in US city
The Africa News.Net
Global food prices rise in August on firm demand: FAO
The Africa News.Net
Opinion: May peace prevail over war, either cold or hot
The Africa News.Net
France supports bid by India, other G4 nations for UNSC reforms
The Africa News.Net
Didn't feel like that: Kohli on having a net session after 5 months
The Africa News.Net
How The Conversation's journalism made a difference in August
The Africa News.Net
China claim Uyghurs 'happiest Muslims in world'
The Africa News.Net
Mabuza says NPA needs to be supported in fight against corruption
The Africa News.Net
Ethiopia Demands Explanation on US Aid Cut
The Africa News.Net
US suspends aid to Ethiopia over Blue Nile dam dispute
The Africa News.Net
Uganda Refugee Aid Groups Cry Foul Over Government Suspensions
The Africa News.Net
Ethiopian Airlines in talks with South African Airways on rescue
The Africa News.Net
Xi Jinping using AI to tighten grip on China: Report
The Africa News.Net
Xi says China ready to work with Russia to safeguard WWII results
The Africa News.Net
Sign up for The Africa News
a daily newsletter full of things to discuss over drinks.and the great thing is that it's on the house!
18 ℃ Fair in Nairobi/Wilson
All Africa News Headlines
ICC says U.S. sanctions an attack on rule of law
The Africa News.Net
China substantially expanding nuclear arsenal says U.S. military
The Africa News.Net
US Mayor Suspends 7 Police Officers in Black Man's Death
The Africa News.Net
Baby boom for endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda
The Africa News.Net
Eskom suspends plant managers as SA suffers power cuts
The Africa News.Net
Mali's Junta to Hold Transition Talks This Weekend
The Africa News.Net
Didn't feel like that: Kohli on having a net session after 5 months
The Africa News.Net
Int'l community slams U.S. sanctions against ICC senior officials
The Africa News.Net
How The Conversation's journalism made a difference in August
The Africa News.Net
A new model to predict survival in colorectal cancer
The Africa News.Net
China claim Uyghurs 'happiest Muslims in world'
The Africa News.Net
Pitso Mosimane: 'I don't trust the last matches'
The Africa News.Net
Mabuza says NPA needs to be supported in fight against corruption
The Africa News.Net
Grass on ash: uncovering 200,000 year old beds from South Africa
The Africa News.Net
Ethiopia Demands Explanation on US Aid Cut
The Africa News.Net
Second seed Sofia Kenin progresses at US Open
The Africa News.Net
US suspends aid to Ethiopia over Blue Nile dam dispute
The Africa News.Net
Mozambique army 'eyeing bid to retake port from jihadists'
The Africa News.Net
Uganda Refugee Aid Groups Cry Foul Over Government Suspensions
The Africa News.Net
Police admit to shooting dead black man in US city
The Africa News.Net
Ethiopian Airlines in talks with South African Airways on rescue
The Africa News.Net
Global food prices rise in August on firm demand: FAO
The Africa News.Net
Xi Jinping using AI to tighten grip on China: Report
The Africa News.Net
Opinion: May peace prevail over war, either cold or hot
The Africa News.Net
Xi says China ready to work with Russia to safeguard WWII results
The Africa News.Net
France supports bid by India, other G4 nations for UNSC reforms
The Africa News.Net
Zimbabwean High Court Orders Dissidents to Be Freed on Bail
The Africa News.Net
SA's Lloyd Harris out of US Open after defeat to seeded David Goffin
The Africa News.Net
Tanzanians Approach Election with Economic Advances, Rights Squeezed
The Africa News.Net
Pasha 79: Why South Africa's role in COVID-19 vaccine trials is important
The Africa News.Net
Why more Ugandan farmers aren't adopting drought tolerant maize
The Africa News.Net
Rwanda: what's at stake in the trial of Felicien Kabuga
The Africa News.Net
US Sanctions ICC Prosecutor Bensouda
The Africa News.Net
New-look Germany to experiment behind closed doors against Spain
The Africa News.Net
SA doubles ace Raven Klaasen makes early exit at US Open
The Africa News.Net
Feature: Rwandan students adapt to remote learning amid COVID-19 pandemic
The Africa News.Net
Sri Lanka's virus-hit cricket league gets November start
The Africa News.Net
How health dept's new app will assist the fight against Covid-19
The Africa News.Net
Gordhan: Covid-19 the ultimate test of Transnet's renewal
The Africa News.Net
Key Player Worries About Mideast Drive to Build Ties With Israel
The Africa News.Net
Australia coach Langer wary of 'dangerous' England
The Africa News.Net
VC investment in fintech remains robust as MA activity stalls: KPMG
The Africa News.Net
Mozambican gov't to support 70,000 families through newly created agency
The Africa News.Net
More South African sides in PRO14 'positive' for Handre Pollard
The Africa News.Net
FACT CHECK | Zweli Mkhize's claims on SA's relationship with alcohol
The Africa News.Net
Watchdog Warns of Limited Progress in Africa Counterterror Fight
The Africa News.Net
Pentagon: China Expected to Double Nukes in Next Decade
The Africa News.Net
Police Detain South Sudan Man Accused of Trying to Sell His Children
The Africa News.Net
Several COVID-19 Vaccines Enter Final Testing Stage
The Africa News.Net
US Police Officers Shoot, Kill Black Man After Bicycle Stop
The Africa News.Net
Central Africa News
Baby boom for endangered mountain gorillas in Uganda
The Africa News.Net
Didn't feel like that: Kohli on having a net session after 5 months
The Africa News.Net
How The Conversation's journalism made a difference in August
The Africa News.Net
A new model to predict survival in colorectal cancer
The Africa News.Net
China claim Uyghurs 'happiest Muslims in world'
The Africa News.Net
Grass on ash: uncovering 200,000 year old beds from South Africa
The Africa News.Net
Access More
New Releases
The Africa News.Net's News Release Publishing Service provides a medium for circulating your organization's news.
Twitter Feed
International News
ICC says U.S. sanctions an attack on rule of law
The Africa News.Net
Black communities bypassed in doling out of U.S. federal aid
The Africa News.Net
France to undertake 'massive measures' in ecnomic rescue plan
The Africa News.Net
170 countries considering working together on virus vaccine
The Africa News.Net
Julian Assange, another casualty of the Iraq War
The Africa News.Net
Trump gaining ground against Biden in advance of debates
The Africa News.Net
China substantially expanding nuclear arsenal says U.S. military
The Africa News.Net
Digital ballot images to be preserved in many Florida counties
The Africa News.Net
China wants U.S. to cease official contact with Taiwan
The Africa News.Net
White House: Trump Meets Leaders of Kosovo, Serbia on Friday
The Africa News.Net
Access More
