China-Africa Green Collaboration Fuels a Joint Sustainable Future
China, leveraging its extensive experience and resources, stands out as an ideal partner in Africa's green transition. The collaboration between the two is not only mutually beneficial but also crucial for fostering a sustainable future for everyone.
TroibNews 
The partnership between China and Africa in renewable energy is increasingly driving the continent toward sustainable development and a greener future, illustrating how South-South collaboration can tackle global challenges.
Africa, one of the most climate-change-vulnerable regions, urgently needs to transition to a green, low-carbon economy. The continent's reliance on agriculture, which is highly sensitive to climate changes, exacerbates its vulnerabilities.
Despite these issues, Africa boasts significant potential. With a youthful and dynamic population and a shift in policies favoring green energy and sustainable growth, the continent is poised for considerable advancement.
China, leveraging its extensive resources and experience, emerges as a key ally in Africa's green transition. As a leading innovator, manufacturer, and exporter of renewable energy technology, China is playing a crucial role in providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to underserved regions.
As Africa taps into its natural resources and China offers its technological expertise, their collaboration is essential not only for mutual benefit but also for creating a sustainable future for all.
"Solar panels and batteries have become affordable for many, including in some African countries where the remotest parts have no prospect of being connected to the grid for the next 20 years or more," noted economist Brains Muchemwa.
"The impact this has had on livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, sanitation, education, and health, is massive, improving the overall living conditions of millions of Africans," he added.
China's involvement has been vital for Africa's development, and Beijing has persistently aligned itself with the goals of developing nations, including Kenya, as stated by Moses Masika Wetangula, speaker of Kenya's National Assembly.
"China's experience in renewable energy development is very worthy of reference for African countries. In this field, African countries and China have huge potential for cooperation," remarked Youba Sokona, vice-chair of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
In recent years, under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative, an increasing number of Chinese firms have partnered with African governments and businesses to develop renewable energy projects, spanning hydro- and wind power to solar and geothermal energy.
In northeastern Kenya, where 87 percent of the grid's power comes from renewables, the Garissa Solar Power Plant generates half of the nation's solar energy. After the China-built facility began operating, solar power production in Kenya soared from 7.44 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month in 2021 to an average of 30 million kWh monthly in 2023.
"There has been increased investment in Garissa due to the low-cost power as well as several small businesses like welding workshops. The solar plant has also created jobs directly and indirectly," explained Hannington Gochi, a renewable energy expert at Kenya's Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation.
Deswin Basson works as an operation and maintenance engineer at the De Aar Wind Farm in South Africa's Northern Cape Province, located more than 750 kilometers northeast of Cape Town. Since its inception in 2017, this plant has provided the local community with approximately 760 million kWh of stable and clean electricity annually.
As part of its social responsibility program, the De Aar Wind Farm allocates over 4.5 million rand each year (around $236,000) to a scholarship initiative that supports more than 120 students like Deswin in their pursuit of higher education.
The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant, located on the Nyabarongo River at the junction of Rwanda's Northern and Southern provinces, is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by 2027.
"Besides increasing power generation capacity, we count on this project to reduce the cost of doing business and improve the quality of life of the population through increased access to reliable, affordable power," stated Felix Gakuba, managing director of Rwanda's Energy Development Corporation Limited, a subsidiary of Rwanda Energy Group.
As the world moves toward a greener future, China and Africa are united in the forefront of energy transformation. Their partnership serves not only as a catalyst for Africa's green growth but also as a model for enhancing South-South cooperation toward a sustainable future.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
Africa, one of the most climate-change-vulnerable regions, urgently needs to transition to a green, low-carbon economy. The continent's reliance on agriculture, which is highly sensitive to climate changes, exacerbates its vulnerabilities.
Despite these issues, Africa boasts significant potential. With a youthful and dynamic population and a shift in policies favoring green energy and sustainable growth, the continent is poised for considerable advancement.
China, leveraging its extensive resources and experience, emerges as a key ally in Africa's green transition. As a leading innovator, manufacturer, and exporter of renewable energy technology, China is playing a crucial role in providing clean, reliable, and affordable energy to underserved regions.
As Africa taps into its natural resources and China offers its technological expertise, their collaboration is essential not only for mutual benefit but also for creating a sustainable future for all.
"Solar panels and batteries have become affordable for many, including in some African countries where the remotest parts have no prospect of being connected to the grid for the next 20 years or more," noted economist Brains Muchemwa.
"The impact this has had on livelihoods, particularly in agriculture, sanitation, education, and health, is massive, improving the overall living conditions of millions of Africans," he added.
China's involvement has been vital for Africa's development, and Beijing has persistently aligned itself with the goals of developing nations, including Kenya, as stated by Moses Masika Wetangula, speaker of Kenya's National Assembly.
"China's experience in renewable energy development is very worthy of reference for African countries. In this field, African countries and China have huge potential for cooperation," remarked Youba Sokona, vice-chair of the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
In recent years, under the framework of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC) and the Belt and Road Initiative, an increasing number of Chinese firms have partnered with African governments and businesses to develop renewable energy projects, spanning hydro- and wind power to solar and geothermal energy.
In northeastern Kenya, where 87 percent of the grid's power comes from renewables, the Garissa Solar Power Plant generates half of the nation's solar energy. After the China-built facility began operating, solar power production in Kenya soared from 7.44 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month in 2021 to an average of 30 million kWh monthly in 2023.
"There has been increased investment in Garissa due to the low-cost power as well as several small businesses like welding workshops. The solar plant has also created jobs directly and indirectly," explained Hannington Gochi, a renewable energy expert at Kenya's Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation.
Deswin Basson works as an operation and maintenance engineer at the De Aar Wind Farm in South Africa's Northern Cape Province, located more than 750 kilometers northeast of Cape Town. Since its inception in 2017, this plant has provided the local community with approximately 760 million kWh of stable and clean electricity annually.
As part of its social responsibility program, the De Aar Wind Farm allocates over 4.5 million rand each year (around $236,000) to a scholarship initiative that supports more than 120 students like Deswin in their pursuit of higher education.
The Nyabarongo II Hydropower Plant, located on the Nyabarongo River at the junction of Rwanda's Northern and Southern provinces, is currently under construction and is expected to be operational by 2027.
"Besides increasing power generation capacity, we count on this project to reduce the cost of doing business and improve the quality of life of the population through increased access to reliable, affordable power," stated Felix Gakuba, managing director of Rwanda's Energy Development Corporation Limited, a subsidiary of Rwanda Energy Group.
As the world moves toward a greener future, China and Africa are united in the forefront of energy transformation. Their partnership serves not only as a catalyst for Africa's green growth but also as a model for enhancing South-South cooperation toward a sustainable future.
Anna Muller contributed to this report for TROIB News
