Africa's economies are surging into the future, but despite great strides in new infrastructure improvement over recent years, many countries still lack one vital ingredient to further super-charge their growth: Electricity. CGTN's Li Jianhua visited Uganda to see how a Chinese-funded hydro-power project is helping to shine a light on the country's potential.

Beautiful view from high above. Hidden under bushes and trees is a typical village in Uganda. One thing the residents there are all in need of is electricity.

BUKENYA JUMA, LOCAL COUNCILOR NAMPANY VILLAGE, KAYUNGA DISTRICT "Electricity in Nampany is a problem. There is no electricity throughout the entire village. People are resorting to using solar power, which is insufficient, because there is no money to support the accessories."

Twenty minutes' drive from the village, a hydropower project, jointly financed by China, is under construction. The fourth biggest in Uganda, the project is expected to increase the country's electric capacity by 23 percent, making the price of electricity the lowest in east Africa.

Built on the White River Nile, the project is alleged to be harmful to the local eco-system. But some experts hold a different opinion.

HORIA BABAU, PROJECT MANAGER ARTELIA "A lot of voices are saying differently. This environmental study has been already performed. Basically, the lake is the smallest lake - it's a cascade type of powerhouse, so it's not such a thing. You may still go in there, go rafting and all the things that are very attractive to tourists. Because it's not a big lake, so it's not going to destroy the river."

The company's manager said 88 percent of the workers are locals and the surplus electricity could bring some extra revenue to Uganda.

PROFESSOR WANG YONGTIAN, PROJECT MANAGER ISIMBA HYDROPOWER PROJECT "Uganda is in dire need of electricity. Once the hydropower project is complete, it will, to a large extent, relieve the situation. And surplus electricity can be transported to neighboring countries, so as to increase the country's revenue."

LI JIANHUA KAYUNGA, UGANDA "Some are concerned the hydropower project may harm the eco-system of Uganda's Victoria Nile. But many Ugandans are applauding the project, as - according to them - it will reduce the price of electricity and create more jobs. LJH, CGTN, UGANDA."