Decoding China's investment in Africa

Setting in train Africa's railways

The nearest quarry is about 300 km away, and since there is no road to transport stone and other materials, the company has brought in 35 barges from China.

"These barges had to be dismantled and then shipped to Gabon and then reassembled," Yang says.

Despite the huge challenges, the route will also pay heed to environmental protection, he says.

Libreville, the capital, lies to the north of Port-Gentil, and it might have seemed natural to build a road directly in that direction.

However, there is a vast natural reserve just north of Port-Gentil, and vast rivers flow to the east of the city.

So the road needs to go south to Omboue first, then to the east to connect with the national road network, Yang says.

Given the difficulties, Yang believes the price is reasonable. Western companies would ask for two to three times as much, he says.

"With this price and loans from the Chinese bank, the Gabonese government can save a lot of money and, more important, can really get started on the project."

The road will bring huge benefits to Gabon, Yang says.

It will bring road access to a substantial part of the country, and will help oil companies in Port-Gentil expand their businesses and lower the cost of maintaining pipelines, he says.

It will also open up villages along the route, connecting them with the outside and allowing them to develop.

"Without transport, nothing can happen, so this is going to be a big boost for the local economy."