More than 50 African heads of state gathered in Beijing from September 4 to 6 for the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). In keeping with tradition, the triennial conference ended with a plan of action and a declaration.
The plan covers issues ranging from infrastructure and health to trade and security, and reflects the ever-expanding scope of the relationship. Since the last forum held in Dakar in 2021, pledges to strengthen cooperation on climate change, particularly renewable and clean energy, have been omnipresent, a prominent theme in bilateral relations.
We asked four experts what signals they think FOCAC has sent for cooperation on energy, decarbonization and ‘green’ industries, and what we can expect from the relationship over the next three years. asked.
Image courtesy of Fikayo Akeredolu
Fikayo Akeredolu
Postdoctoral fellow in political science at the University of Oxford, specializing in China-Africa relations.
The Beijing Action Plan and Xi Jinping’s keynote speech signal a strategic shift in China-Africa energy cooperation. Unlike the 2021 Dakar Action Plan, which explicitly mentioned oil and gas exploration, the Beijing plan focuses on renewable energy cooperation, upgrading coal-fired power plants, and implementing “special projects for clean energy electricity supply.” . This signals a shift from traditional fossil fuel projects to projects based on sustainable energy sources.
The next three years will see a greater emphasis on renewable energy projects such as solar, wind and hydropower, as China increases investment in infrastructure and provides technical expertise to African countries. . Xi Jinping’s announcement in his keynote speech that “China is ready to launch 30 new clean energy projects in Africa” reflects concrete efforts to expand the use of green energy in Africa. This could include a variety of initiatives, from local solar and wind projects to regional power grids. Furthermore, the exploration of cooperation on nuclear technologies mentioned in the action plan provides an opportunity for Africa to diversify its energy mix and provide reliable, low-carbon energy alternatives, depending on local regulatory environments and political acceptance. provide.
This pivot towards renewable energy will strengthen China’s role as a key partner in Africa’s sustainable development and support global climate change goals. Anticipated developments include increased Chinese investment, technology transfer, capacity building and potential pilot projects in nuclear power, all of which will strengthen energy security and reduce emissions. This strategic shift is consistent with China’s international climate efforts and Africa’s energy transition needs.
Image courtesy of Eliud Kibii
Eliud Kibii
Foreign policy analyst and journalist from Kenya
In the 24 years since the first FOCAC, China and African countries have met regularly to advance priorities and follow up on commitments from previous meetings. Fifty-three African countries participated in this year’s FOCAC, with African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki also in attendance.
As with the previous FOCAC in Dakar, there was no specific declaration on climate change, but I believe that China and Africa will continue to build multilateral cooperation in climate change mitigation, adaptation, financing, loss and damage. I believe that it is, and that it must be done. bilaterally.
FOCAC itself is premised on supporting the economy and development. And the impacts of climate change in Africa are negatively impacting economic growth, development, agriculture, the blue economy, health, and causing resource conflicts.
With this joint declaration, China and African countries agree to the multilateral initiative introduced by President Xi in 2021 to achieve “stronger, greener, and healthier global development” based on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The United Nations demonstrated its commitment to the Global Development Initiative (GDI), a global development initiative.
In Kenya, the Export-Import Bank of China financed the largest grid-connected solar power plant in eastern and central Africa, the 55MW Garissa Solar Power Plant, built by a Chinese company. I hope that such investments and cooperation will continue with other African countries.
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Indeed, in the joint declaration, China pledged to help African countries make better use of renewable energy, and said it would support “energy-efficient technologies, new high-tech industries, green and low-carbon industries, and other low-carbon industries. He pledged to further increase investment in Africa in the carbon industry. Emission Project”.
We also look forward to further cooperation through the African Union’s Agenda 2063: Second Ten-Year Implementation Plan (2024-2033). One of its seven goals is to “strengthen the resilience of economies and communities to the impacts of climate change.”
Notably, the FOCAC Joint Declaration condemned the European Union’s carbon tariffs, known as the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism. The report cited CBAM as an example of “unilateralism and protectionism” adopted by some developed countries “under the guise of tackling climate change and protecting the environment.” Such measures “violate developing countries’ right to sustainable development,” the report said.
CBAM has a negative impact on China’s terms of trade, while the president of the African Development Bank warned at COP28 last year that Africa could lose $25 billion annually. China and Africa’s approach against this injustice provides a basis for cooperation to protect their respective interests.
Image courtesy of Lina Benabdalla
Lina Benabdalla
Wake Forest University, Associate Professor of Politics and International Affairs
The announcement to launch 30 research institutes for clean energy research is noteworthy. If successful, the institute is poised to contribute to the transfer of technology and skills in the clean energy sector, and African leaders are negotiating with various partners in this regard.
Green energy cooperation will benefit both the African and Chinese sides. There is likely to be more green energy cooperation, including the development of hydro and wind energy sources. We also expect to see increased investment in energy-efficient technologies, low-carbon emission projects, solar panel production, green mineral processing, and more.
Image courtesy of Christian-Geraud Neema Byamungua
Christian Gerow Nyima Byamunga
China-Africa analyst and researcher
The Beijing Action Plan is not lacking in climate action. It promises to “implement 30 clean energy and green development projects” and establish a “Special Fund for China-Africa Green Industry Chain.”
There is another initiative to strengthen the China-Africa Environmental Cooperation Center and the China-Africa Marine Science Blue Economy Cooperation Center, which were established in 2020.
So we have a lot of expectations, but that depends on ensuring that Africa and China honor their commitments. The question is how serious Africa is about ensuring China’s compliance.
In 2023, China provided loans worth $290 million to green energy projects in Africa: a hydropower plant in Madagascar and a solar power plant in Burkina Faso. There was also financing for the electrification of industrial parks in Uganda.
We should expect more green projects like this to take shape.
I believe that the next three years should be very interesting for this continent in terms of tackling climate change and investment from China.
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