With more and more Chinese firms looking to expand into Africa, pressure is being put on them to ensure the companies both expand opportunities for local workers, while at the same time, pay attention to their role in the local communities they work out of.

 

　　CRI's Nathan Wakelin-King has more.

 

　　As with any example of foreign direct investment, Chinese companies successfully operating in Africa are providing training and funding opportunities for many of the local people that they work with.

 

　　Gabriel Nalokessissi is a grader operator at China Road and Bridge Corporation. He was awarded a long-service award by his company for his hard work; receiving enough of a bonus to buy a shamba, or farm, and build a house on his newly-purchased land.

 

　　"Because when I started, I had nothing; but when I began to work with the CRBC, I was able to build my house and I started to pay my child's school fees."

 

　　Alan Omondi was also working for the same company. He started off as a basic office clerk, but through training and hard work was promoted to be an engineer, or specifically, a quantity surveyor.

 

　　"When I was first employed; I used to stay in slums. Now, with time, as I started to gain experience, and started to do the work efficiently… when I got the promotion, ok, it was a surprise to me, because now the level I've reached, in both economic and social terms, is fantastic."

 

　　In 2011, Kenya saw its worst drought in six decades. Sino Hydro, Chinese state-owned hydropower engineering and construction company, sponsored the creation of water facilities for a school in Nairobi.

 

　　Mr Gong Changying, deputy general manager of Sino Hydro, talks of the need for positive outcomes for local communities when working in Africa.

 

　　"In 2011, Kawaha secondary school faced a very serious water crisis, especially in 2011, Kenya experienced an extreme drought disaster; the teachers and students in Kahawa school suffered a serious water shortage. As soon as we learnt of this news, we immediately decided to sponsor a water supply facility for this school."

 

　　Margaret Ngjagag is the principal of Kahawa Garrison secondary school in Nairobi. She explains the importance of the project:

 

　　"Sufficient supply: the toilets can flush, the students have enough water in the dining hall for the kitchen, there is a lot of water to clean, the lawns are very beautiful, the teachers are very happy, the children have water at home, they can now take safe water – they can drink water in school, we don't have to buy bottled water… free of charge from the borehole."

 

　　Chinese firms have greatly increased their activity in Africa in the past decade, either through direct investment, or aid. In 2009, China became Africa's biggest trading partner.

 

　　According to the Africa Research institute, China's foreign direct investment in Africa totaled 491 million US dollars in 2003, and 14.7 billion US dollars in 2011. Research from Standard Chartered estimates that trade between China and Africa will hit 385 billion US dollars by 2015.

 

　　For CRI, I'm Nathen Wakelin-King.