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Kenya-Ouganda : Reprise du train chinois malgré la dette kenyane

by Omar Benali International
written by Omar Benali International

Kenya and Uganda Celebrate Railway Extension Amid Debt Concerns

KISUMU, Kenya (AP) – The presidents of Kenya and Uganda presided over a ceremony near their shared border Saturday, marking the completion of a long-delayed extension to a Chinese-built railway. While hailed as a potential economic catalyst for East Africa, the project is shadowed by concerns over Kenya’s mounting debt to China.

The Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) currently connects the port city of Mombasa to Nairobi and Naivasha in Kenya. The newly completed extension is intended to reach Kisumu, Uganda, with further phases planned to reach Malaba, a town on the Kenya-Uganda border. Officials estimate the line could reach Kisumu by June 2027.

Kenyan President William Ruto described the rail link as a “generation-defining project,” arguing it will significantly reduce logistics costs and boost competitiveness across East Africa. Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni echoed this sentiment, stating the railway would address inefficiencies within his country’s infrastructure, calling the current system “irrational and wasteful.”

However, the railway’s construction has come at a steep price. Kenya spends approximately $1 billion annually servicing debts related to the SGR, the majority of which were borrowed to finance the project. Last year, the railway generated roughly $165 million in revenue, despite strong growth in passenger and cargo numbers. A report by Kenya’s auditor general revealed over $260 million was lost to penalties and interest on late debt payments.

China lent Kenya $9.7 billion between 2000 and 2019, with approximately half of that funding allocated to the railway, according to the Chinese Loans to Africa Database by Boston University. Lending from China stalled between 2020 and 2023 as Kenya struggled with repayments, coinciding with a broader shift in China’s lending strategy towards Africa.

Kenya is now financing the new phase of the railway through future cargo taxes, partnering with Chinese transport firms for construction. The overall cost of the extension is estimated to exceed 500 billion shillings ($3.9 billion), according to Kenya’s Business Daily.

The railway extension is seen as crucial for strengthening trade links throughout East and Central Africa, potentially reaching landlocked nations like Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Despite the financial challenges, Ruto insisted his government has a sound financial plan for the project, emphasizing its potential to create jobs and alleviate road congestion.

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International

Afrique du Sud : Les constructeurs chinois et indiens bouleversent le marché automobile

by Omar Benali International
written by Omar Benali International

South Africa’s Auto Market Shifts Gears as Chinese, Indian Carmakers Gain Traction

Johannesburg, South Africa – South Africa’s automotive industry is undergoing a significant transformation, as consumers increasingly opt for more affordable vehicles, opening the door for Chinese and Indian manufacturers to gain a foothold. This shift is challenging established automakers from Europe, Japan, and the United States, and prompting a re-evaluation of local production strategies.

The changing dynamics are driven by weak economic growth and rising living costs, pushing South African buyers toward budget-friendly models. Chinese carmaker Chery, which entered the market in 2021, has rapidly become the second-largest car seller in the country, trailing only Toyota. The company markets vehicles under the Omoda, Jaecoo, and Jetour brands.

Indian manufacturers are also expanding their presence. Mahindra & Mahindra is increasing its production capacity within South Africa, while Tata Motors has returned to the market after a period of absence.

This influx of new competitors is impacting established players. Mercedes-Benz is reportedly considering sharing its assembly plant in East London with Great Wall Motor to maintain production levels. The plant currently exports C-Class sedans to the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), a program allowing duty-free access for certain African exports. However, potential trade tensions and policy changes could jeopardize this export access.

The South African auto industry faces broader pressures beyond increased competition. Rising production costs, sluggish domestic demand, and evolving global vehicle markets are all contributing to the challenges. Local production has steadily declined over the past two decades, with only approximately one in three cars sold in South Africa now manufactured domestically, a significant drop from the 56% recorded two decades ago.

Automakers are urging the government to implement policies that support local manufacturing and stimulate domestic market growth. The industry’s future hinges on navigating these complex challenges and adapting to the changing landscape.

The structural changes underway highlight a broader trend of lower-cost manufacturers gaining market share while traditional exporters grapple with new pressures. The situation underscores the importance of a stable trade environment and supportive government policies to ensure the long-term viability of South Africa’s automotive sector.

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International

Weego lève 1,1M$ pour son application de mobilité en Afrique

by Omar Benali International
written by Omar Benali International

Moroccan-Senegalese Startup Weego Secures $1.1 Million to Expand Transport Platform Across Africa

By [Your Name], International Editor

DAKAR, Senegal – Weego, a mobility startup operating in Morocco and Senegal, has raised $1.1 million in a funding round led by the Azur Innovation Fund, the company announced this week. The investment will fuel the expansion of its multimodal transport platform across Africa, addressing a critical need for integrated transportation solutions in rapidly urbanizing cities.

Founded in 2020 by Saad Jittou and Mor Niane, Weego tackles the challenge of fragmented transport networks common across the continent. Its application integrates various options – public transit, ride-hailing services, and more – into a single interface, simplifying travel for commuters.

“Transportation remains one of the main barriers to economic activity in many cities,” said CEO Saad Jittou in a statement. “We are building the technological layer that helps make existing mobility infrastructure more efficient and accessible.”

The funding will be used to strengthen Weego’s presence in Morocco, expand its enterprise transport services through its “WeegoLines” product, and initiate regional expansion into other African markets. WeegoLines provides companies with a digital platform to manage employee transport, optimizing routes and logistics.

The need for such services is growing. Across Africa, urban mobility is evolving as demand increases for alternatives to private vehicles and often unreliable informal transport networks. The United Nations projects significant population growth in African cities in the coming decades, further highlighting the importance of efficient and coordinated transport systems.

Mobility-as-a-service platforms like Weego aim to bridge the gaps in route planning, ticketing, and data currently plaguing many African transport systems, where buses, minibuses, taxis, and ride-hailing services often operate independently. This approach mirrors a global trend as cities seek to improve transport efficiency without massive infrastructure investments.

The investment in Weego reflects a growing recognition of the potential for technology to address transportation challenges in emerging markets. The Azur Innovation Fund’s backing signals confidence in Weego’s ability to scale its platform and contribute to more accessible and efficient mobility solutions across the continent.

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International

Grève aéroport Nairobi : Reprise du trafic aérien

by Omar Benali International
written by Omar Benali International

Grève des contrôleurs aériens levée au Kenya, la circulation aérienne reprend son cours

Nairobi, Kenya – Les opérations aéroportuaires au Kenya, notamment à l’aéroport international Jomo Kenyatta (JKIA) de Nairobi, sont revenues à la normale après la levée d’une grève des contrôleurs aériens qui perturbait les vols à l’échelle nationale. L’accord mettant fin au mouvement social a été signé entre les autorités aéroportuaires et le syndicat des travailleurs de l’aviation kényan (KAWU), mettant fin à plusieurs jours de perturbations pour les voyageurs.

La grève, qui a débuté après l’expiration d’un préavis de sept jours, était motivée par des griefs liés aux négociations bloquées concernant les conventions collectives de travail (CCT), aux mauvaises conditions de travail et aux questions de conversion de contrats. KAWU réclamait des améliorations significatives pour ses membres, soulignant un malaise croissant au sein du secteur de l’aviation kényan.

“Nous sommes heureux d’annoncer que nous avons trouvé un terrain d’entente avec le gouvernement et la KAA,” a déclaré un représentant de KAWU, sans donner de détails immédiats sur les termes spécifiques de l’accord.

La résolution de la crise a été rendue possible grâce à une médiation menée par Davis Chirchir, le secrétaire au Cabinet chargé des Transports, avec la participation du Ministère du Travail, de la KAA et de l’Autorité kényane de l’aviation civile (KCAA). Le rôle du gouvernement dans la résolution de ce conflit souligne l’importance stratégique de l’aviation pour l’économie kényane et sa connectivité régionale.

Les perturbations causées par la grève ont eu un impact significatif sur les compagnies aériennes, notamment Kenya Airways et Jambojet, qui ont été contraintes de reprogrammer des vols, entraînant des retards considérables pour les passagers. Selon les estimations initiales, plus de 5 000 passagers ont été affectés par les annulations et les retards.

La KAA a déclaré que les opérations se normalisaient dans tous les aéroports du pays et a conseillé aux passagers de contacter leurs compagnies aériennes respectives pour obtenir des informations actualisées sur les horaires de vol.

Cet incident met en lumière les défis persistants auxquels sont confrontés les travailleurs de l’aviation au Kenya, et la nécessité d’un dialogue social constructif pour garantir des conditions de travail équitables et un secteur aérien stable. Le Kenya, hub régional pour l’Afrique de l’Est, dépend fortement d’un système aérien efficace pour le commerce, le tourisme et les voyages d’affaires. Une perturbation prolongée de la circulation aérienne aurait pu avoir des conséquences économiques importantes.

[Intégration potentielle d’un tweet récent de Kenya Airways concernant les retards de vols : Rechercher sur X.com (anciennement Twitter) un tweet récent de @KenyaAirways concernant les retards de vols et l’intégrer ici.]

[Intégration potentielle d’une vidéo Instagram d’un passager bloqué à JKIA : Rechercher sur Instagram un post récent avec le hashtag #JKIA ou #KenyaAirways montrant les perturbations et l’intégrer ici.]

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