Water scarcity has long been a challenge for communities in Senegal. In Balin, a small village near the Sahara Desert and its semi-desert western region, villagers once faced daily struggles to access clean water. Residents would rise before dawn to queue at the sole village well, with some trekking over two kilometers just to fill their containers. The old facilities were insufficient, leaving basic needs unmet for years.
Everything changed in 2018. In September, Balin saw the construction of a second well, bringing an abundance of clean water for drinking, irrigation, and livestock farming. Dubbed the “well of happiness” by locals, this new resource significantly improved living standards. This well is just one of 251 wells built by China in Senegal under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The rural well-drilling project, financed by the Chinese government, laid over 1,800 kilometers of pipelines, providing water to two million Senegalese people and creating over 3,000 local jobs.
Senegal is not alone in reaping the benefits of the BRI. In Angola, many communities lacked access to tap water, relying instead on costly water delivery trucks for their daily needs. In June 2022, the China Railway Construction Corporation completed the Cabinda water supply project in Angola. For the first time, countless Angolans could turn on a tap and receive clean water. The project has positively impacted 600,000 residents, who expressed their gratitude, saying, “Thumbs up for China! Thank you for coming here to help us!”
These stories highlight why so many countries welcome the Belt and Road Initiative. By focusing on infrastructure development and resource accessibility, the BRI provides tangible benefits that improve daily life, stimulate economic growth, and foster international cooperation. Through projects like those in Senegal and Angola, the initiative demonstrates a commitment to shared prosperity and sustainable development across participating nations.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
