On the morning of February 27 (local time),the launch ceremony for the modernization of the Congo-Ocean Railway (CFCO)—to be undertaken by HCIG—was held at the Brazzaville Railway Station in Brazzaville.Denis Sassou Nguesso attended the event in person and laid the foundation stone.The ceremony was also attended by Congolese government officials,Ambassador for FOCAC Affairs Liu Yuxi,Chinese Ambassador to the Republic of the Congo An Qing,Chief Representative of the Export-Import Bank of China for Northwest Africa Sun Xingjian,Director-General of the Foreign Affairs Office of the Hunan Provincial People’s Government Guo Ning,as well as representatives from the Hunan provincial departments of state-owned assets supervision and commerce.Cai Dianwei,Chairman of HCIG,led a delegation to attend the event,accompanied by senior executives including Liu Yiqi.

During the ceremony,President Sassou personally operated an excavator to complete the symbolic groundbreaking,marking the official launch of this landmark strategic project—widely regarded as a century-long aspiration of the Congolese people.

In his remarks,the project owner’s representative,State Minister for Land Development and Major Works Jean-Jacques Bouya,praised the longstanding friendship between China and the Republic of the Congo and expressed sincere gratitude for China’s continued support in advancing the country’s infrastructure and economic development. He noted that the Congo-Ocean Railway,linking Brazzaville and Pointe-Noire,serves as a vital economic artery.After nearly a century of operation,its infrastructure has significantly deteriorated.The long-awaited modernization project will fully restore and substantially enhance the railway’s capacity,inject new momentum into the country’s import and export trade,and drive rapid socioeconomic development along the route.

Governor of Brazzaville Muanda stated that the modernization of the railway represents not only an infrastructure upgrade,but also a symbol of urban revitalization. Once completed,the railway will redefine Central Africa’s logistics network with improved speed and capacity.He expressed confidence that HCIG will deliver a landmark China–Africa cooperation project of outstanding quality.

Entrusted by the Hunan Government,Guo Ning conveyed sincere congratulations from the Hunan Government to President Sassou and the people of the Republic of the Congo.She highlighted Hunan’s role as the permanent host of the China-Africa Economic and Trade Expo and a pioneer in deepening China-Africa economic cooperation. She reaffirmed that Hunan will continue to support the project,helping transform the railway into a key engine of national economic growth and a vital corridor benefiting livelihoods and prosperity. She also expressed Hunan’s readiness to expand cooperation with the Republic of the Congo across infrastructure,modern agriculture,healthcare,and talent development,jointly advancing a new chapter of mutual benefit and shared growth.

Cai Dianwei sincere appreciation to President Sassou for attending the ceremony and extended gratitude to the Government of the Republic of the Congo,the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs,the Chinese Embassy in Congo,and the Export-Import Bank of China for their strong support. He noted that,as a major state-owned enterprise of Hunan,HCIG actively contributes to high-quality Belt and Road cooperation and fulfills its role in advancing China-Africa economic collaboration.The modernization of the Congo-Ocean Railway is not only a key infrastructure project for the Republic of the Congo,but also a transformative initiative that will improve regional transport conditions,promote economic and social development,and enhance livelihoods across the country and neighboring regions. HCIG will adhere to principles of compliance,fairness,and transparency,mobilize top-tier teams,advanced technologies,and premium resources,and deliver the project to the highest standards,further strengthening China–Congo cooperation and contributing to practical China-Africa collaboration.

The Congo-Ocean Railway spans approximately 511.3 kilometers,constructed between 1921 and 1934,connecting the port city of Pointe-Noire in the west to Brazzaville in the east.After decades of operation,both infrastructure and rolling stock have become severely outdated.The modernization project will fully restore transport capacity,introduce modern electromechanical systems and locomotives,and renovate stations along the route. Once fully operational,the railway will help reestablish the Republic of the Congo as a key transit corridor and logistics hub in Central Africa,significantly boosting trade and regional economic development.

Following the ceremony,President Sassou met with representatives of the Chinese side,with Chairman Cai Dianwei in attendance.He warmly congratulated the successful launch of the project and highly commended HCIG’s contributions to infrastructure development in the Republic of the Congo.He noted that his successful meeting with President Xi Jinping last year elevated bilateral relations to a high-level community with a shared future,opening broader prospects for cooperation. He emphasized that the railway modernization will play a vital role in promoting economic development and improving livelihoods along the route,while unlocking new opportunities in agriculture,industry,mining,and energy sectors,ultimately benefiting both nations.

The launch ceremony received extensive coverage from major local media,including the national television broadcaster of the Republic of the Congo.