The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) was launched by China in 2013 to enhance connectivity between Asia, Africa, and Europe through land and maritime networks, promoting trade and economic growth. It involves over 200 agreements with 150 countries and aims to improve infrastructure development, with significant investments made in various sectors, particularly in Africa. The BRI promotes principles of mutual cooperation and aims to create opportunities for social cohesion and increased trade among participating nations.

1. BY
MR. KEBEDE LEMU B.
Notes about Belt and Road Initiative
2023

2. BELT AND ROAD INITIATIVE
It was announced president of China Xi Jinping in
Kazakhstan in October 2013.
It based on the concept of ‘Silk Road’ which was
established during the Han Dynasty 2000 years ago.
It comprise of ‘Silk Road Economic Belt’
(Kazakhstan, 2013) by land and 21st Century
Maritime Silk Road (Indonesia) by Sea
September 2015, merged as ‘Belt and Road Initiative.
It also known as ‘New Silk Road’
Chinese call it as ‘Project of the Century’ (Grand
strategy)

3. Cont.….
It is a strategy initiated by China that seeks to
connect Asia with Africa and Europe via;
land and
Maritime networks with the aim of;
 improving regional integration,
Increasing trade and
Stimulating economic growth
•Beijing has signed more than 200 deals

4. Cont.….
•BRI cooperation agreement with more than 150 countries
and
•30 international organizations across five continents.
•In Africa, 52 countries are agreed with BRI.
•China’s trade with BRI countries was up to 32.4% in
2021.
•2017, at 19th National Congress of Chinese Communist
Party;
•Advocated BRI as core of China’s diplomatic
strategy and new framework for international
Cooperation.

5. Members…….
•The countries of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) are
spread across all continents:
44 countries are in Sub-Saharan Africa
35 BRI countries are in Europe & Central Asia
25 BRI countries are in East Asia & Pacific (including
China)
21 BRI countries are in Latin America & Caribbean
18 BRI countries in Middle East & North Africa
6 countries are in South East Asia
African Union Commission
•The BRI also works with 18 countries of the European
Union (EU) and 9 countries of the G20.

6. Cont.….
•From Africa, South Africa (2015) is the first
country joined the BRI Countries
•Egypt (2016)
•Then Angola
•Kenya
•Tanzania were among the first countries from
Africa joined the initiative
•Ethiopia, September 1, 2018

7. BRI Principles
•BRI founded on the principles of;
•Extensive consultation
•Joint contribution
•Shared benefits
•It advocates win-win cooperation
•Goals of BRI;
•Policy coordination
•Financial integration
•Facility connectivity
•Unimpeded trade
•People to people

8. Investments
•China invest billions of dollars in;
•Roads
•Railways
•Other infrastructure across Africa and Asia
•From 2013 to 2020; China invested about 890
billion dollars in countries of BRI.
•As a result,
•420,000 jobs
•Lifted 400 million people out of poverty

9. Advantages of BRI
•China invested around 1 trillion dollars in this
initiative
•China became up with BRI at right time when
Africa is in critical need of infrastructure
development.
•China believe in mutual cooperation and
multilateral development than dept trap and
exploitation.
•Mutual benefit is the features of BRI
•Open- up new markets for members.

10. Cont.….
•Very important for infrastructure development like;
•Roads and Railways
•Bridges
•Hospitals
•Schools and airports have been constructed in
Africa which has boosted
•Unemployment reduction
•Improved trade/transport
•Technology transfer

11. Cont.….
•Advantages of BRI for Africa;
•Social Cohesion
•Intercultural marriages
•Tourism
•People bonds
•boosting bilateral and multilateral trade and
foreign direct investment projects.
•Has potential to move the entire continents of
Africa forward

12. Projects done by BRI
•Mombasa –Nairobi railway
•Ethio-Djibouti Railway
•Bole International Airport
•African Union Building
•Industrial Parks
•Head quarter of CDC

13. China Ethiopia Agreement
•Agreement has been signed to work
together on;
•Agricultural development
•Green economy development
•Urban development and others
related fields.

14. Diplomacy
•It started 1950-70s when Prime Minister of China Zhou
Enlai visit Ethiopia in 1964
•China is the largest exporter to Africa.
•China export to Ethiopia reached around 3 billion
Dollars
•Ethiopia export to China reached around 150 million
Dollars
•China is largest investors in Africa (60%)
•20 % of Africa’s import from China.
•Chinese companies have invested 4 billion US Dollars
•111,000 Ethiopians employed permanent and temporary
basis.

15. Con….
•In its foreign policy, China emphasizes
the principle of
•non-interference on other’s internal
affairs.
•Mutual respect for sovereignty and
territorial integrity
•Equality and mutual benefit
•Peaceful coexistence.