Construction of Peru's Andes National Highway, undertaken by a Chinese firm, has surpassed the 100-kilometer mark of asphalt paving, halfway through the country's largest mountainous infrastructure project, which is set to open next year.
Stretching 236.6 kilometers, the highway traverses the high-altitude Andes Mountains, with 90 percent of its route being at least 3,000 meters above the sea level, posing significant safety challenges due to steep cliffs.
"The construction team has extensively utilized China's most advanced concrete mixing equipment and automated asphalt production machines, ensuring both the progress and quality of the project," said Zhang Baolin, project manager with China Railway 20th Bureau.
The highway runs through Huánuco province, where the local economy relies heavily on agriculture. The new highway is expected to significantly improve transportation for local products like potatoes and corn. Before the vision becomes a reality, the construction of the project has already created over 2,000 jobs for families along the route.
"The Andes Mountains are one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. During our three years of construction, we have cultivated and planted over 40,000 saplings and restored 18 hectares of vegetation, integrating our green construction philosophy into the project," said Dai Ruibin, engineering director of the project.
Upon completion, the Andes National Highway will connect the mountainous regions to the Pan-American Highway, reducing travel time between Huánuco and Yarowilca from over 10 hours to under three hours, benefiting roughly 270,000 residents in over 240 towns along the route.
Construction advances on Peru's Andes highway
Nigeria's fuel market is undergoing a rare shake-up as competition pushes prices lower, bringing relief to local consumers while raising concerns over business durability.
In the capital city of Abuja, the state oil firm Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) has been selling petrol at about 815 naira per liter (about 0.57 U.S. dollars per liter), down from about 0.66 U.S. dollars per liter earlier in 2026. Other stations supplied by private giant Dangote are offering even lower prices, selling at around 750 naira (about 0.53 U.S. dollars) per liter.
For millions of Nigerians, the drop has been easing pressure on transport, food and daily living costs.
"I spend relatively lower on fuel and, by implication, transportation now than what it used to be," said Salifu Usman, a local resident in Abuja.
"We are happy with what we are seeing, because, of course, for a very long time, we are witnessing the crash down of price, even during festive period," said Jonathan Madaki, another resident.
The price cut has also allowed for higher profit margins for local small business operators, who have long relied on petrol-powered generators to cope with chronic power shortages.
Behind the price cuts is a growing battle for market share. The Nigeria-based Dangote Refinery, the largest in Africa, has boosted domestic supply and slashed its wholesale price to around 700 naira (about 0.49 U.S. dollars) per liter.
The move has forced importers and the state oil company to lower their own prices to stay competitive. But as margins shrink, analysts warn, what now appears to be a price war may not last.
"My own interpretation is that we are going to that stage where, especially those that, if it keeps coming down, I think those that bring in products may find it not so attractive again. So I don't actually see how sustainable this price war, if I may use that term, will be," said energy expert Paul Ogwu.
Nigeria petrol price cuts ease living costs, raise durability concerns
