Joint Efforts to Promote Global Green and Low-Carbon Transition
——Summary of Achievements in the Energy Sector at the 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation
The 2024 Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) concluded on September 6, following three days of discussions. Representatives from China and Africa gathered in Beijing to strengthen friendship, chart future development, and create a new blueprint for China-Africa relations, emphasizing solidarity and cooperation of the Global South.
In his keynote speech at the summit's opening ceremony, President Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of advancing eco-friendly modernization together. Green development, he noted, is a hallmark of modernization in the new era. China is committed to helping Africa build a "green growth engine," narrow the energy access gap, and promote a global green and low-carbon transition, while adhering to the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities.
Energy cooperation is a key pillar of China-Africa relations. The summit released two major outcome documents: the Beijing Declaration on Jointly Building an All-Weather China-Africa Community with a Shared Future for the New Era (referred to as the Declaration) and the FOCAC Beijing Action Plan (2025–2027) (referred to as the Action Plan). These documents outline the roadmap for future China-Africa cooperation, particularly in the energy sector, setting clear goals and directions.
The Declaration emphasizes the role of the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center, the China-Africa Marine Science and Blue Economy Cooperation Center, and the China-Africa Geosciences Cooperation Center in promoting the implementation of projects such as the China-Africa Green Envoys Program, the China-Africa Green Innovation Program and the Africa Solar Belt Program. We welcome the positive role of the China-African Union Energy Partnership, and China will support African countries in better utilizing solar, hydro, wind and other sources of renewable energy and will further expand investment in Africa in energy-efficient technologies, new and high-tech industries, green and low-carbon industries and other low-emission projects to help African countries improve their energy mix and industrial structure, and develop green hydrogen and nuclear energy. China supports the operationalization of the AUDA-NEPAD Agency Center on Climate Resilience and Adaptation.
Energy is critical to Africa's socio-economic development, and new energy sources are key to future industrial transformation. The Action Plan acknowledges China's assistance in implementing green projects across Africa, including the establishment of low-carbon demonstration zones. Africa has expressed its willingness to explore green and sustainable energy cooperation with China. China will encourage investments in renewable energy projects in Africa, including solar, wind, green hydrogen, hydropower, and geothermal. The two sides will deepen exchanges on renewable energy expertise, best practices, and innovative ideas while launching capacity-building projects to empower African experts, businesses, and organizations in the renewable energy sector.
The Action Plan outlines joint efforts to increase renewable energy use in Africa, building on the outcomes of the 2021 Dakar Declaration on China-Africa Cooperation on Combating Climate Change and the 2023 Nairobi Africa Climate Summit. Both sides will align their energy development strategies, conduct joint research tailored to local conditions, and improve energy accessibility and affordability in Africa.
The Action Plan confirms China will support the overall planning of the African continental power system under the framework of the Agenda 2063 of the AU and AUDA-NEPAD. China will help Africa develop and utilize its energy resources, encouraging Chinese companies to participate in upgrading African energy infrastructure, including hydropower projects.
China will support Africa in utilizing existing energy resources, including thermal power, while introducing appropriate technologies to make them more environmentally friendly. Both sides will establish policy frameworks to attract renewable energy investments, promote market competition, and ensure long-term sustainability. Africa will strengthen regulatory bodies to boost investor confidence in the renewable energy sector.
China will help African countries improve their energy policies and upgrade power generation and transmission networks to make them more efficient and reliable. China will offer vocational training to relevant African government officials and key companies.
The Action Plan underscores China's commitment to supporting Africa's green energy transition in terms of policies, funding, and technology. China will leverage its expertise in solar and wind energy to help African countries better utilize renewable resources, expand investments in energy-saving technologies, high-tech industries, and low-carbon sectors, and jointly develop photovoltaic demonstration projects. China will support the China-Africa Energy Innovation Cooperation Accelerator project, promote green industry cooperation, and help African countries optimize their energy and industrial structures.
Note: The content has been modified for length.
Source: China Electric Power News