Since the the Belt and Road Initiative was put forward 10 years ago, African countries have actively participated. As of June 2023, 52 African countries and the AU Commission have signed cooperation documents with China to jointly build the the Belt and Road, and Africa has become one of the most important directions to participate in the the Belt and Road cooperation. The accelerated development of economic and trade cooperation has injected new impetus into the joint construction of the the Belt and Road between China and Africa.

At the beginning of 2023, with the official opening and operation of Nigeria's Laiki Port, the largest deepwater port in West Africa and constructed by China Harbour Engineering Co., Ltd., Africa's largest economy finally ended its long history of not having a deepwater port. Lekki Port is a new engine of Nigeria's economic development and a "star port" in West Africa that emerged from the cocoon under the the Belt and Road Initiative. It was started in June 2020 and completed in October 2022.

The opening of Laiki Port is of great significance for the economic development of Nigeria. By improving the cargo operation speed and throughput of the port, the freight pressure has been effectively alleviated, and it is expected to drive a GDP growth of approximately 360 billion US dollars during the next 45 years of franchise operation. This will promote the growth of gross domestic product, create a large number of job opportunities, and bring considerable income to business activities. The construction and operation of Laiki Port will inject new impetus into Nigeria's economic development. Editor/Zhao E