Jump to navigation

Vol 67 No 22

Published 6th November 2026


Beijing and the Gulf tighten their grip

Port and railway deals promise cheaper trade and new investment. They also give foreign operators leverage over the continent’s commercial arteries

The UN Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) estimates that by 2030, the single market accord could mean a 28% rise in intra-African freight demand. Already, colonial-era ports are creaking under expanding demand. This year, Dar es Salaam has seen a 17% rise in transit cargo; in Djibouti, it’s a 7.26% uptick; and the Port of Abidjan is up by 16.1%. Yet, often creaky facilities are holding back the volume and speed of commerce. This is also making exporting too costly for the myriad small-to-medium-scale companies.

End of preview - This article contains approximately 1976 words.

End of preview

Subscribers: Log in now to read the complete article.

Account Holders: Log in now and use your Account Credit to buy this article. No Credit? Top up your Account now.


If you are logged in, but still cannot access the full text of this article, email customer services or telephone us on +44(0)1638 743633.