A container is unloaded from a ship at the 19th berth in Mombasa Port, Mombasa, Kenya, Jan. 9, 2017. Being East Africa's largest port, Mombasa port serves as an important logistic hub in the region, transporting containers to Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Rwanda, Burundi and etc. China helped with its 19th berth expansion project which significantly improved the port's operational efficiency. Together with the under constructing Standard Gauge Railway which will connect Mombasa Port with Kenya's capital Nairobi, the port will help develop the economy of this country as well as the whole East Africa. (Xinhua/Sun Ruibo)

NAIROBI, April 27 (Xinhua) -- China could play a key role in helping Africa to achieve the benefits of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), a Kenyan expert said on Friday.

Economist Kennedy Manyala told Xinhua in Nairobi that intra-Africa trade faces a lot of challenges partly due to the high cost of transporting goods across borders.

"China could play a crucial role in helping unlock the business potential of African Continental Free Trade Area, by helping the region bridge the huge infrastructure deficit in an affordable way," Manyala said during an AfCFTA policy forum.

Manyala said that Chinese have emerged as one of the biggest financiers and contractors of road, rail and energy projects in Africa.

"Some of these infrastructure projects link neighboring Africa countries and help to lower the cost of transport in the region," he added.

He observed that lower cost of logistics will help to improve the competitiveness of products made in Africa.

According to the economist, Chinese are also interested in setting up manufacturing facilities in Africa.

"This is a positive move that could help Africa benefit from modern technology from China," he added, urging African states to tap into the huge Chinese consumer market.