Supporting Overseas Infrastructure: Chinese-Made Cranes Shine in Major African Projects

Recently, Zoomlion’s engineering cranes have delivered impressive results across several key projects in Africa. In South Africa, an industry-first articulated-boom truck crane with a dedicated chassis has been deployed for a local solar-plus-storage project; meanwhile, in East Africa, a crawler crane successfully completed the initial lift of a critical steel structural component for the roof of Ethiopia’s national stadium, demonstrating the robust capabilities of Chinese-made construction machinery in large-scale overseas projects.

In Meyerton, Gauteng Province, South Africa, construction is accelerating on a renewable energy project combining solar power generation with battery storage. Zoomlion, in collaboration with local partners, deployed the ZTK45000 articulated-boom truck crane to ensure efficient and safe heavy-duty lifting operations. This industry-first crane features a dedicated chassis and an articulated boom design—incorporating a six-section telescopic boom with a four-section dual-push structure and a proprietary frame-type turntable—resulting in a lighter overall weight and superior structural rigidity. Equipped with a patented dedicated chassis, it supports all-wheel steering and "crab-walk" modes; with a turning radius of just 8.5 meters, it offers flexible and efficient operation in confined spaces, making it ideally suited for the construction conditions of African photovoltaic power plants.

High on the East African plateau, the national stadium project in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, has reached a critical milestone. A Zoomlion crawler crane successfully lifted and positioned the MD25 large-scale assembly unit—part of the roof's steel structure (Zone A)—marking the official entry of this landmark African project into the main steel structure installation phase. Located in a high-altitude region characterized by fluctuating high-altitude winds and complex construction conditions, the project demanded exceptional stability, control precision, and environmental adaptability from the lifting equipment. The MD25 module—measuring 42 meters in length and 22 meters in width, and weighing 77.74 tons—is a core component of the 46 large trusses forming the stadium's outer ring; its installation directly determines the progress and quality of the roof construction. Thanks to its powerful lifting capacity, precise micro-motion control, and excellent high-altitude performance, the equipment successfully overcame the challenges of high-altitude lifting, setting a new record for long-span steel structure hoisting in Ethiopia. Since entering the African market in 2007, Zoomlion has established ten wholly-owned subsidiaries and a multi-level service network across the continent, with operations covering over 80% of the region. Moving forward, the company remains committed to deepening its presence in Africa; by leveraging high-quality equipment and localized services, it aims to support the development of green energy and the upgrading of infrastructure across the continent.

The expansion of Chinese construction machinery into African and global markets relies on the collaborative support of professional foreign trade service providers. co.,ltd. possesses extensive practical experience in international trade and specializes in the construction machinery and heavy equipment sectors. The company efficiently handles inquiries from overseas clients, facilitates order fulfillment, and ensures the smooth export of goods to countries and regions worldwide.

The company has assembled a multilingual sales team with a global perspective, capable of conducting business fluently in English, Spanish, Russian, Arabic, and French. Backed by long-standing partnerships with major equipment manufacturers, the company guarantees the supply of brand-new, original equipment at competitive market prices. It offers diverse logistics solutions—including sea, air, rail, and road transport—to ensure timely delivery. Furthermore, the company provides comprehensive after-sales support, including a one-year warranty, spare parts supply, equipment installation and maintenance, operator training, and technical consultation. Through standardized customer service and quality control systems, it meets the procurement needs of various overseas projects. Anhui heavy and light industries international co.,ltd. is your professional and reliable partner in China.