Africa reaps dividends of modernization via FOCAC

Clean energy

Cavince Adhere, a scholar of international relations with a focus on China-Africa relations, said China is the largest home for green energy technologies, while Africa is home to the largest green energy resources, hence both parties can play a critical role in promoting green industrialization through FOCAC.

According to the African Development Bank, Africa has almost unlimited potential for solar capacity at 11 terawatts; 350 gigawatts of hydropower, out of which only 5-6 percent is being harvested; 110 gigawatts of wind energy, of which only 2 percent is being used; and 15 gigawatts of geothermal energy sources.

Adhere praised China for helping Africa to exploit its green energy potential, noting the Asian country has contributed to over 21 percent of the continent's green energy transition in the last decade.

"When growing up in the rural areas, we used kerosene for lighting. Today, every roof in the rural areas is dotted with a solar panel, most of which are manufactured in China," he said.

According to Ember, an energy think tank headquartered in London, Africa's solar imports from China increased by 187 percent year-on-year in 2023.

Adhere said Africa is also witnessing an increased presence of Chinese electric vehicles which are helping to reduce emissions.

"Chinese EV manufacturers have shown that they can manufacture high-quality cars at affordable rates. So, we look forward to many African markets adopting these Chinese technologies to decarbonize the transport sector," he said.

Isaac Ankrah, a research fellow at the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory, said through FOCAC, Africa is not only industrializing but also doing so sustainably, setting the stage for a new era of growth driven by green energy, innovation, and collaboration.

Ankrah said the FOCAC 2024 Action Plan adopted at the summit in Beijing set a comprehensive road map to bolster energy infrastructure and advance the continent's overall industrial growth through a sustainable lens.

A notable feature, he said, is the commitment by China to develop 30 strategic clean energy projects in Africa, with a focus on solar, wind, and hydropower.

"These initiatives intend to drive Africa's industrial shift away from fossil fuel dependency toward renewable energy, allowing it to meet its industrial demands while aligning with global sustainability targets and addressing the climate crisis," Ankrah said in a statement published by the Africa-China Center for Policy and Advisory on its website.